Over 30 charities, good causes, and community events have been awarded grant funding by the Englefield Charitable Trust as part of its longstanding commitment to people, place, and purpose.

The latest release of grant funding in March this year (2025) will help the beneficiaries - which are based in Berkshire, Hampshire, London, and Scotland – to continue to provide an array of meaningful services and opportunities, on a local and UK-wide scale.

Meeting twice a year, in March and October, Trustees undertake the difficult task of choosing who will receive a grant, from many inspiring applicants.

“Since its founding in 1968, the Trust has strived to make a difference to the communities in these areas,” says Englefield Charitable Trust’s Chair, Catherine Haig. “It’s a privilege to be able to help such a wealth of remarkable charities and organisations raise funds to facilitate and further their valuable work.”

 

Whizz Kidz

One charity to receive funding in March was Whizz Kidz - dedicated to empowering disabled children and young wheelchair users across the UK to live a life without limits.

“In the UK, there are an estimated 75,000 young wheelchair users navigating life with diverse mobility needs, abilities, and experiences,” says Whizz Kidz representative, Alice McClelland.  “NHS wheelchair services are falling short in meeting the needs of individuals.”

Whizz Kidz steps in to address this gap, offering needs-matched mobility equipment to children who can't access it through the NHS. It also organises and hosts confidence and skills-building workshops, as well as fun social events like sports days and creative art sessions.

“The support of the Englefield Charitable Trust is greatly valued by Whizz Kidz,” says Ms McClelland. “It means we can continue to provide mobility equipment, confidence-building activities, and campaign for a more inclusive society. We want young wheelchair users in Berkshire to be confident, independent, and able to access all the opportunities that life offers.”

 

Age Concern Slough & Berkshire East

To help tackle isolation and loneliness, Age Concern Slough and Berkshire has used its recent grant award to support elderly people returning home from hospital.

“We are extremely grateful to have received a grant from the Englefield Charitable Trust towards our post hospital Wellbeing at Home service,” says charity representative, Kris Robson.

“This grant will help us to support elderly people returning home from hospital, and who find that they are unable to get out and about as they once used to. We will explore ways to help improve their social wellbeing within the local community, helping them to remain connected and feel less isolated.”  

 

Bramley School Association

Bramley School Association was awarded £3,000 in grant funding and facilitated the building of an outdoor play space at Bramley Primary School in Hampshire. The ‘clamber stack’ is a wooden structure which encourages children to take part in active and explorative play.

“The children absolutely love it,” says the school’s assistant headteacher, Sian Hanson. “It’s helping them to develop core strength, as well as problem solving skills and self-confidence to tackle different areas. And it is also wonderfully in-keeping with the natural feel of our school grounds.”

 

De Beauvoir Jazz Festival

In Hackney, London, the Englefield Charitable Trust has also shown its support for important community events, including the De Beauvoir Jazz Festival.

The event promises to be a celebration of the beautiful built environment, as well as great music, and is described by its founder and organiser, Payal Wadhwa, as a “citizen-led response to London’s cultural needs.”

Catherine adds: “Our support extends to community events like this festival, which allows as many people as possible to attend. They can enjoy jazz music by talented artists in various locations including pubs, cafés and churches, all within the wonderful neighbourhood of De Beauvoir.”

Applications for the next round of grant funding should be submitted either by email (charity@englefield.co.uk), or listed on The Good Exchange, by 1st September 2025.