19 Tilford Road, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8DJ

What is ARCAID?

ARCAID is St Joan's own independent charity, started in 1989, with the aim of filling gaps in the work of the larger agencies, by trying to reach people who would otherwise be neglected. ARCAID looks for orphanages, hospitals, health centres, schools, parishes, families and occasionally individuals whose needs, though often desperate, do not come within the ambit of the bigger aid programmes. Arcaid is registered with the Charity Commission, Reg. No. 1002243, and more details can be found on the Charity Commission website.

Every St Joan's parishioner is a member of ARCAID.

Latest Arcaid Report Nov 2024

After the success of the wine tasting on Friday 8 November, which raised over £1600, Arcaid trustees met to discuss new applications. They agreed to support 3 projects worth just over £7,000 - a water project in Malawi, a skills centre in Sierra Leone and health screening camps in rural Tamil Nadu, India.

You can keep in touch with projects all over the world if you FOLLOW arcaidfarnham - on Facebook and now on Instagram too.

Report on the Arcaid AGM, 26th November 2024

Our thanks to all those Arcaid supporters who joined this year's AGM in the Parish Centre on Tuesday 26th November. Turnout was good - over 30 this year - but it was not possible to provide a livestream version this year. Facebook has changed its rules recently, and only provides streaming services to groups with more than 100 followers. Arcaid isn't quite there yet.

In the words of Charlotte Woellwarth, Arcaid Chair, "Arcaid was established in 1989 and 35 years later I am proud to stand here and say that the message and the aim remain the same. To provide support to some of the poorest individuals and communities in developing countries around the world, whose needs do not fall within the scope and remit of the larger aid organisations". Click for full Chair's Report 2024

Charlotte presented the Treasurer's report from Mark Baines, as he was unable to attend due to a business trip to China. He reported that 2023-24 had once again been a good year, despite the economic climate. He thanked parishioners for continuing to demonstrate the virtue of charity, with generosity and kindness. Once again he noted some very significant one-off donations, and also the importance of Gift Aid, which this year contributed over £8,000 to Arcaid funds. Arcaid made 25 grants, totalling more than £45,000, to good causes across the world, helping with food, shelter, healthcare, education and agriculture projects.

Charlotte thanked Mark for his hard work as Treasurer over recent years, as he had decided to retire from the post. Richard Fisher and Jane O'Donnell were also stepping down and were thanked for their contribution to the work of Arcaid. Terri McClure was elected as a Trustee and would be taking over as Treasurer. Niamh Draper and Monique Limerick were also elected as Trustees.

The evening's speaker was Dr Karilyn Collins MBE, who gave a moving and inspirational talk about the work of Muheza Hospice Care, in north eastern Tanzania. When she first visited some 30 years ago there was no palliative care anywhere in the country. Muheza Hospice Care now provides in-patient and day patient care, home visits, Mothers' Clubs and Kids' Clubs for HIV patients, and the first provision of palliative care in prisons. Muheza is now seen as a centre of excellence providing education in palliative care for the rest of the Tanzania. More details about the work of Muheza Hospice Care can be found at www.muhezahospicecare.org .

Where does the money go?

Arcaid made 25 grants, totalling more than £45,000, to good causes across the world, helping with food, shelter, healthcare, education and agriculture projects in Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Project List 2024

Who makes the decisions?

A committee of trustees is elected by the members to discuss and decide on proposals. Trustees endeavour to establish and maintain direct contact with those supervising projects supported by ARCAID, often priests, nuns, medical workers, and request reports from them on the progress of the project.

Members are most welcome to propose projects.

Please contact us at arcaidfarnham@gmail.com if you have a suggestion.

Parish Charity: Arcaid

Where does the money come from?

ARCAID's income comes from regular subscriptions, usually by Standing Order or from one-off donations.

If you would like to become a regular subscriber, you can use your online banking system to set up a standing order to make payments to Arcaid - HSBC Account: ARCAID , Sort code: 40-21-05, Account no: 81469878, Payee reference: Your full name

Alternatively you can complete the following. Standing Order Form.

If you prefer to give a one-off donation at this time, please complete the following One-off donation form.

You could also help by signing up to the 'EASYFUNDRAISING' scheme. It takes a few moments to join, costs you nothing and results in a small donation to ARCAID from hundreds of well-known brands every time you shop online. SIGN UP FOR EASYFUNDRAISING.

How much of the money goes on expenses?

None, because ARCAID's modest size enables it to absorb all of its running costs. The only exception to this are bank charges for international bank transfers, but most of these are covered by the Easyfundraising scheme.

Parish Charity: Arcaid

Arcaid Contacts

If you have any further questions, please contact us at arcaidfarnham@gmail.com.