Grants Paid
Review of the Past Year
The Trustees met four times during the year to make grants and review investments.
The asset value of the Trust increased from £8.5 million at 5 April 2009 to £9.9 million at 5 April 2010, an increase of 16.2%.
The unrestricted income of £317,596 was significantly down on the previous sixteen month period on a pro rata basis. Future income is likely to remain at these reduced levels due to falling dividends and record low UK interest rates.
Click on the left-hand index to see grants that have been paid in each category.
Arts projects which the Trustees favour have a variety of purposes. Through art, music or performing arts, projects funded help combat social isolation; change behaviour of those “at risk”; provide an arena in which to address social problems and help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential. This year a grant to Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra helped young musicians from disadvantaged backgrounds bridge the gap between college life and professional life. A grant to Theatre Modo benefitted CiroModo Govan, an integrated circus skills project for a socially deprived community in Glasgow.
Grants funded in the Community and Social Welfare category cover projects which range from: services for victims of domestic violence; employment skills training; ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) lessons for refugees and asylum seekers and computer classes and life skills for ex-offenders. A grant was made to Castle Gate Family Trust towards services which help strengthen family ties between offenders and their families. A grant to Friends, Families and Travellers help fund the salary of a part-time caseworker to help Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers and New Travellers' families nationwide. A grant to Behind Closed Doors helped towards running costs of a programme for women and children affected by domestic violence in Leeds.
Disability and Health grants have been made to give young adults with learning disabilities horticultural skills; intensive physiotherapy sessions for young children with neurological disorders; equipment, court hire and transport for BME disabled basket ball players and other grants have enabled children and young people with additional needs access mainstream social activities.
The Education grants have varied from funding education officers in museums to family literacy projects in the community and upgrading equipment in museums for public use.
Support for environmental work and sustainable energy projects were made in the Environment category.
Every year the trustees make small grants for summer playschemes taking place during the long summer holidays for children between the ages of 5-16 who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The grants range from £500 to £1,000. Only charities whose annual income is £100,000 or less can apply. The playschemes funded are inclusive and encourage integration both by accepting those of differing abilities as well as different social and racial backgrounds. Among some of the successful applicants are those who encourage past users to come back as volunteers.
