Localgiving.com makes it easier for you to support the work of those groups who are tackling these issues throughout Somerset

Somerset is a county of great contrasts, with areas of wealth, beauty and affluence alongside, and often masking, areas and issues of great deprivation.

Every project on this site has been carefully assessed by the Somerset Community Foundation, so you can be sure your gift goes to the most effective and deserving local communities.

Somerset Community Foundation supports local giving, making it simpler and easier for donors to make a difference in their community. Since 2002 we have distributed almost £3m in grants to a wide range of local charities. Since 2006 we have built a £2m endowment fund for the county. To find out more please visit our website at www.somersetcf.org.uk

There are hundreds of local charities and voluntary groups and thousands of volunteers working at the frontline, below the radar, tackling these issues and transforming people's lives. Carefully targeted donations to these groups can make a big difference to people's lives in our great county.

Issues facing Somerset are often hidden. In the county's major towns there are areas of high unemployment, poor educational attainment and other social issues often associated with inner cities.  At the same time, many households in rural areas face problems associated with poor transport links, a low wage economy and limited access to services.