DVS Foundation
Established in 1985 by Dhiru V Shah, DVS Property is a family-run commercial property business based in Harrow. In 2012, Dhiru and his wife, Rami Shah formalised their family's charitable giving by setting up DVS Foundation. The Foundation's work is primarily focused on the advancement of education, healthcare and food security, both in the UK and East Africa. Young Harrow Foundation is delighted to announce a new partnership with DVS Foundation which will be financially supporting the Holidays Activities and Food (HAF) programmes running throughout 2022. Their contribution has created spaces for children, who would otherwise not have access to the scheme. Learn about the programmes we fund in Harrow: Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2023 | Mid-year report Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2022 Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2021
Programmes DVS Foundation helps fund in Harrow
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2025
Overall, the HAF Programme 2025 successfully maximised capacity, strengthened inclusion and delivered meaningful outcomes for children and families across Harrow.
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2024
We take great pride in delivering a high-quality, inclusive programme that offers a diverse range of activities while also securing additional funding to support young people facing economic hardship but not eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2023
Harrow HAF has once again demonstrated our high standards and excellent providers but it was not without challenges. The HAF funding requires constant adaptation and innovation to secure success. This report provides a breakdown of the different holidays, achievements, and challenges we encountered.
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2023 | Mid-year report
In total, we distributed over £467,000 in direct grants for the HAF Easter and Summer 2023 programme. Grants were awarded to 23 organisations offering a wide range of opportunities right across Harrow targeting a diverse range of children and young people, including Romanian, Iranian, Afghan and Tamil communities.
Partners in Action: Extending Holiday Support to Children Who Need It Most
Over the past four years, the DVS Foundation has partnered with Young Harrow Foundation to invest over £90,000 into Harrow’s grassroots youth sector — including £65,000 to strengthen the Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programme.
While HAF is designed for children on free school meals, many local families living on the breadline don’t qualify for government support. Thanks to DVS Foundation’s flexible funding, hundreds of these children have been able to access enriching holiday activities and nutritious meals, filling a crucial gap and responding directly to a rising local need.
This impact has been driven by the strength of DVS Foundation’s partnership with Young Harrow Foundation, whose close links with schools and charities ensure support reaches those most often overlooked.
As Priyan Shah, Trustee, from DVS explains:
“Young Harrow Foundation is deeply embedded in the community and understands the needs of young people and the charities that support them. Through them, we’ve been connected to impactful projects like HAF and had the chance to work alongside other partners to create meaningful social change.”
DVS also stepped in during the December 2022 cost-of-living crisis, providing £15,000 in vouchers to help struggling families with essentials. In 2024, DVS was instrumental in funding a new after-school youth club for teenagers with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), an underserved group in Harrow. With an £18,000 grant, the pilot project provides a safe space for young people with SEND to engage in enriching activities.
Together, DVS and YHF are ensuring that children who slip through the gaps are seen and supported.
