Windsor-based charity receives award from The Prince Philip Trust Fund

A Windsor-based charity is the first to receive an award established to honour an organisation that has ‘significantly supported’ residents in the Royal Borough.

The Alma Beacon is the first-ever recipient of the John Handcock Award by The Prince Philip Trust Fund.

The charity, based in Alma Road has been recognised for its outreach work for vulnerable members of the community through three core projects – The Windsor Homeless Project, Windsor Street Angels and Windsor Foodshare.

The award was presented to the charity’s trustees Geoff Hudson, Jeremy Crame, Maria Hindmarsh and Mark Player by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The award was created in memory of prominent Windsor citizen John Handcock, who passed away in 2021.

He was instrumental in creating The Prince Philip Trust Fund in 1977, was captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel and was heavily involved in civic life in Windsor, through various societies and organisations.

Mr Handcock also spent decades as the clerk at the Royal Albert Institute until his death.

Nominees of the John Handcock Award are shortlisted by The Prince Philip Trust Fund’s trustees.

The criteria seek to choose a nominee that is ‘delivering excellence in its area of operation, goes above and beyond its remit in order to deliver for local residents and focuses on a particular current or urgent need in the local community’.

The award alternates with The Prince Philip Award and is presented every two years.

The Windsor Homeless Project supported homeless and vulnerable people in Windsor from the outset in 2013 and offers a safe space through a local day centre, initially based in Windsor Baptist Church and then in Holy Trinity Garrison Church.

The team provides hot meals, laundry facilities, a shower, clothing along with access to healthcare, and professional and housing/tenancy advice.

Since December last year, after moving premises to Alma Road, the team has also been able to provide a night shelter in the winter months for up to 15 homeless people.

Windsor Foodshare was brought under the umbrella of the Alma Beacon in 2016 and provides food for approximately 150 people per week.

The Windsor Street Angels were established following a growing awareness of the need for support for anyone on the streets of Windsor at night.

While the focus has been to help teenagers and young adults vulnerable due to intoxication, the Street Angels also help anyone in need whom they come across.

They patrol every Friday and Saturday night from 9.30pm to 4am.

It is estimated that since their first shift in 2012, they have helped more than 30,000 people.

Geoff Hudson, chair of the Alma Beacon board of trustees, said: “It was a great honour for Alma Beacon to receive the John Handcock Award.

“I and my fellow Trustees were delighted to be able to accept it on behalf of our wonderful volunteers who give so freely of their time, our dedicated staff who achieve so much and our many supporters corporate and otherwise who make it all work financially.

“Most importantly, we were humbled to be able to accept this on behalf of our guests who are at the heart of all we do.

“We feel encouraged by the recognition that winning this award has brought and look forward to working even harder with the whole community to help the most vulnerable within Windsor.”

Chris Aitken, secretary and trustee of The Prince Philip Trust Fund, said: “Through their tireless efforts, Alma Beacon ensures that those at risk have access to food, shelter, and protection at the times they need it most.

“We are deeply grateful for their dedication and compassion, and in presenting Alma Beacon with the inaugural John Handcock Award, we hope to recognise the extraordinary difference they are making in the lives of local people during their most challenging moments.”

Applications for grant funding for 2026 are now open and can be made online at: https://theprincephiliptrustfund.org/