Garrett's Charity

From arts clubs and active wellbeing groups like Pilates to coffee mornings which build connections in the community. Garrett’s Charity supports a number of groups from its community of Heighington and surrounding villages.

The origin of the charity comes from Thomas Garrett, a wealthy local landowner, in his will he left an endowment to found a school for boys in the Chapel of Ease in Heighington. The school attracted boys from all over the country many of whom boarded with families in the village. Over 300 years later, the school closed, and pupils were moved to a newly built school.

What used to host lessons, is now home to this band of trustees, aiming to make a difference in their community. Pre-pandemic there were over 20 groups meeting on a regular basis with exhibitions and village events also being held. Activities are resuming and after so many months of restrictions, groups are even more conscious of how important the building and the community are to everyone.

Neil Hunter, on behalf of the Trustees, said: “This invaluable welcoming space in the heart of our village provides support to hundreds of people each month.”

Garrett’s Charity now owns the premises, including the Chapel of Ease and is responsible for its upkeep. The Trustees have embarked on a project to improve the fabric of the building and are currently working with an architect and heating engineer to achieve this.
The group have been supported by our Community Champions (link) scheme, and the £622.59 raised by our members and colleagues will hugely help with the improvement of these facilities, enabling the charity to expand the support given to the local community.

Janet Wain, Chair of the Friends of the Garrett’s Charity, said: “Thanks to the funding from the Lincolnshire Co-op Community Champions scheme, the groups that use the Thomas Garrett Heritage Rooms for learning and developing new interests and skills, and socialising can look forward to and more comfortable surroundings.”

Find out more about our Community Champions scheme here, and how you can get involved!