How we can help:

Relief In Need

 

  • The Trust is able to offer grants for vulnerable individuals for white goods and furniture. These goods must be something you are able to take with you should you move, so we are unable to provide carpets, curtains or grants for decorating purposes.

    In order to be considered for this grant, you must have been resident in Sandwell for 3 years.

    These grant requests must be submitted via an agency such as:

    • Sandwell Citizens Advice

    • Social Services

    • Action for Children

    • Or other similar welfare organisations.

    We ask that the Agencies provide a completed Application Form on your behalf and a supporting letter confirming your circumstances.

    The grant funds will then be paid to the Agency to be used to meet your specific request.

  • The Trust is able to make grants for organisations who support people in Sandwell who are vulnerable, lonely, disabled or in financial difficulty.

    They are unable to help with the general expenses of running the organisation e.g. salaries etc. But they are able to assist with the cost of equipment, outings or support for specific events or similar.

    In recent years the Trust has helped with; coach hire for outings, COVID welcome back celebrations, Christmas lunches, purchases of a printer, cooker and dishwasher.

    The organisations must serve mainly Sandwell residents and must submit an application form setting out the details of their needs and the approximate numbers of Sandwell residents who would benefit.

    You can access the Application Forms Here

 
 

Advancement Of Education

 

  • The Trust is able to offer grants for Sandwell students for study at university including the Open University.

    The grant is currently £350.00.

    To apply for this grant, you must have been resident in the Sandwell area for at least three years before going to university and your home address must still be within the Sandwell area. Your university may be anywhere in the UK.

    The Trustees need to be sure that any student who is applying, is both enrolled and attending their university. Therefore, as part of the application process, they ask students to provide an up to date letter from their university specifically confirming this. This can be organised via the university’s Student Services, Data Services or Enrolment department. Because of this requirement, students are only able to submit an application once they have started their studies.

    The Trustees also require background information behind the reasons for the students course choice and any possible career plans they may have.

    Students must submit a fully completed application with the letter confirming their attendance and enrolment at university and photo ID; this may be a copy passport or drivers licence.

    The Trustees are able to consider making a grant to a student for each year in which they are continuing to study.

    Grant funds will be paid via cheque direct to the student.

  • The Trust is able to offer grants to Sandwell students for study at Further Education colleges. However, we are currently unable to provide grants to those attending Sixth Forms which form part of a school, but will be reviewing this in the coming year.

    The grant is currently £350.00.

    To apply for this grant, you must have been resident in the Sandwell area for at least three years and your home address must also be within the Sandwell area.

    The Trustees need to be sure that any student who is applying, is both enrolled and attending their college. Therefore, as part of the application process, the Trust ask students to provide an up to date letter from their college specifically confirming this. This can be organised via the college’s Learner Data Services department.

    The Trustees also require information behind the reasons for the students course choice and any possible career plans they may have.

    Students must submit a fully completed application form with a letter confirming their attendance and enrolment at college and photo ID.

    The Trustees are able to consider making a grant to a student for each year in which they are continuing to study.

    Grant funds will be paid via cheque direct to the student.

    Students are only able to submit applications once they have started their studies.

  • The Trust is able to offer grants to Apprentices to help with the purchase of kit, clothing, equipment, tools or other equipment which they may require to carry out their job and which is not provided by their employers.

    Details of the items and costs must be provided on the Application Form.

    The Apprentices must have been resident in Sandwell for over three years and must provide a letter from their college confirming their apprenticeship status and employers details.

    Grants will be paid via cheque to the Apprentice who must then provide copies of receipts for the items purchased.

    Grants can be considered and made annually throughout the period of the apprenticeship.

    Applications must be made by completing the Apprentice Application form and submitting it together with the college confirmation letter and photo ID.

  • The Trust is able to make grants to assist Sandwell school pupils who have lived in Sandwell for more than three years with the purchase of a musical instrument if they play regularly in a local orchestra.

    Details of the instrument, its costs and exams and grades taken will be required, as well as letter from the orchestra leader confirming the pupils regular attendance and commitment to the orchestra.

    The Trust is unable to assist with exam fees, tuition fees or transport costs.

    The completed Musical Instrument Application form together with a letter from the orchestra leader, as well as photo ID, must be submitted in order for the Trustees to consider the application.

    Proof of purchase; e.g a receipt, will be required once the funds have been used.

  • The Trustees are able to make annual grants to Sandwell schools to fund or assist with the funding of specific projects for the benefit of the school, or certain sections of the school that they would otherwise be unable to finance.

    The Trustees wish to ensure that grants are not utilised for general expenses, therefore require full details and costing estimates of the projects in the application form.

    Currently the Trust provide:

    £350 for Primary Schools

    £700 for Secondary Schools

    The Trust have assisted with such diverse projects as: the purchase of furniture for a structured teaching room, phonics reading books, equipment for forest schools, funding for outside play area and more recently, due to the pandemic, sensory, mindfulness, stress relieving toys and items for a Nurture Room.

    The Trust are unable to assist with food, catering, computer program subscriptions, the cost of additional staff or the payment of fees for outside tutors.

    The Trust ask that schools provide a completed School’s Application Form; together with detailed costings.

  • The Trust is able to offer grants to Boys’ Brigades and Girls’ Associations, Scouts, Guides, Youth Amateur Dramatic Societies and similar who serve Sandwell’s young people, providing excellent opportunities to expand horizons and life experiences.

    Grants have previously been made towards the cost of equipment, activities, camps and transport for outings etc.

    The Trust are unable to help with room hire.

    The completed Application Form with details of numbers of young Sandwell people served, funds required, together with detailed costings must be submitted to Trustees in order for consideration.

  • The Trust is able to offer grants for equipment and kit to sports clubs that serve people in Sandwell.

    The Trust is unable to assist with coaching costs, transport, room or field hire.

    The club is required to complete a Sports Club Application Form which must include details of the number of attendees from the Sandwell area.

    A breakdown of costs of equipment etc. will also be required for your application to progress.