Covid
Our story began in Covid when it was obvious to Rachel and Arthur Cunynghame that many residents would need support. Having lived in Chipping Campden for 20 years we were quite well-connected with the community and let everyone we could know about the Hub and what we planned to do. We set up a web page on the town’s website but this proved unsatisfactory so we set up our own website and email address in two days flat.
At its peak we had over 75 volunteers helping over 125 recipients. We were able to collect and deliver people’s shopping, prescriptions, newspapers and other jobs. We provided information about where self-isolating or house-bound people could get food deliveries and other forms of help. We even prepared a special edition of our local newspaper, the Chipping Campden Bulletin. In particular, through generous donations and working in association with Campden's Baptist Church (because the Hub was not at the time a registered charity), we were able to help residents who had been hit financially by Covid - there were quite a few who fell through statutory support.
Community Award
In 2020 we were honoured to receive the Chipping Campden Business Forum Community Award for companies and organisations that provide vital and much appreciated services to the local community.
What next?
Even before Covid we had been thinking for some time about some sort of town resource for voluntary organisations and Covid provided the impetus needed. So, when Covid began to recede, we kept going and, having established the benefits of and need for “on-the-ground” support in Chipping Campden, we began to think of other areas where the Hub could be of use, reviewed our options and adapted our website.
Ukraine
When the war in Ukraine started, through our established connections we were able to help immediately with parcels of clothing and other necessities donated by local people which were sent via Poland to Ukraine by a local organisation. When it became obvious that Ukrainians would be fleeing the war and coming to the UK, we were able to compile a list of potential hosts, pay unexpected expenses and eventually welcome over 70 Ukrainian guests in Chipping Campden and the surrounding area.
The Hub provided clothing, furniture and other necessities. We organised gatherings and outings to nearby attractions (eg a picnic at Adam Henson’s farm) which enabled our Ukrainian guests to get to know each other, the local community and discover a little about the area in which they had arrived.
Chipping Campden became something of a centre for Ukrainians in the surrounding area and very quickly we were able to set up regular English lessons by qualified EFL teachers.
In association with a local provider we paid for the refurbishment of donated laptops which we then gave to some of our Ukrainian guests, particularly those at school or working from home. Donations of SIM cards from Vodafone, care-packs from L’Oréal and items for English lessons from WH Smith were secured and were gratefully received by our Ukrainian guests.
As guests moved on from being hosted by families into their own accommodation the Hub helped them by providing furniture, white goods and other essentials for their new homes, some of it donated by well-wishers and some bought with the Hub’s funds. The Hub acted as something of a signposting facility for Ukrainians looking for work to support themselves and we made many introductions.
Spirit of Dover Award
In 2022 the Hub was again recognised by the inaugural award of the Spirit Of Dover Prize sponsored by local resident Bill Buckland for organisations that have made a significant contribution to Chipping Campden’s community.
By 2023, as was happening in many areas of the UK, people who were previously just about managing were now finding themselves in financial hardship and the Hub applied to become a registered charity so that we might offer support to a wider number of people.
Charity Recognition
We were delighted to be registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on in June 2025. Prior to that we had rather scaled back our activities, and recognition as a charity provided fresh impetus to our work and opened a number of doors for us with other organisations who were perhaps hitherto uncertain about our status. Some of these organisations - notably NHS Occupational Therapists and Social Prescribers, Chipping Campden Academy and social housing providers Bromford Housing - were able to refer potential clients to us. Others are potential providers of funding.
During 2025 we were joined by two new trustees, Michael Allchin and Heather Howells, which strengthened our management and provided a more formal means for discussion of any major topics and a very useful sounding board for other issues.
Unsung Heroes Award
In March 2026 we were delighted to be presented with the “Unsung Heroes Award” by Cotswold District Council in recognition of the support we offer in the Chipping Campden area. Speaking after the award Rachel said: “I am so pleased to have received this award, not just for Arthur and me, but for all the other people who help in our work with Chipping Campden Support Hub. We set up the Hub at the start of Covid and have been able to go on to support many people in the Chipping Campden area who are facing a variety of difficulties. Often the root cause of these is health-related exacerbated by financial circumstances but really it could be anything. We’re always looking for more volunteers and fund-raising ideas. If anyone needs help or needs to know more check out our website www.campden-support.com”.
Here to help
The support we have provided has included providing essential household items such as white goods, carpets and second-hand furniture for clients due to their financial constraints. Often this is for those moving into social housing where the accommodation may be provided but without any basic items.
We have cleared houses that are being sold or where the occupant has died and where the contents are either given directly to those in need or sold providing much needed funding for the Hub.
We have helped a lady who had been in isolation for heart surgery to reconnect with the community and we have helped de-clutter dwellings where the occupant is unable to do so themselves.
We have funded enjoyment & enrichment opportunities such as riding lessons for disabled clients as well as donating to other local charities that provide more specialised support within our own charitable objectives.
We have organised meetings organisations offering support of all kinds to the residents of Chipping Campden. These meetings have been attended by some 35 organisations and they have proved very beneficial in fostering links between organisations, enabling them to understand better each other’s roles, avoid duplication and encourage cooperation.