SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE WELFARE TRUST Providing local charitable support for those people most in need in our area Newsletter Registered Charity Number 235967 June 2021 ‘…for the purpose of relieving in cases of need persons resident in the area comprising the District of Warwick and the area of the former Rural District of Southam who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or infirm by providing or paying for items, services or facilities which are calculated to alleviate the suffering or assist the recovery of such persons in such cases but are not readily available to them from other sources.’ So says the Trust Deed In 2020, the year of Covid-19, the Trust managed to continue its sealed by Order of the Charity work by distributing nearly £8000 worth of grants. Commissioners in 1991. 36 individuals/families helped (in more normal years 50-60 South Warwickshire Welfare awards) Trust originally arose out of a ages were from 20 to over 70 years charity founded in Kenilworth grants ranged from £90 to over £800 (average grant £212) in 1886. Trustees have to Carpets/flooring Debt Relief Order fees discharge their duties in Cookers Fridge-freezers accordance with the Bed/cot Washing machines Application of Income above. Tumble dryers Microwave oven Trustees: Clothes/shoes Miscellaneous – bird cage The Trust operates with 8 Many of the applicants were described by the referrers as suffering local Trustees who bring from some degree of mental illness, from anxiety/depression to knowledge and expertise in a schizophrenia, and often from stress-related conditions arising from wide range of required fields. their difficult situations/challenges/disabilities. Trustees meet quarterly A rising number of applicants had escaped from domestic violence (January, April, July and and were setting up home in a new tenancy, often with young October) to review Trust children. Many applicants had significant debt. The pandemic has finances, to verify interim posed additional problems for many. action and to discuss The items listed above are not luxuries. Turn2Us Living Without applications for grants campaign last year highlights the true scale and impact of received from referring appliance poverty in the UK. Their findings show the financial, agencies. physical and emotional impact of living without essential The Clerk receives all household appliances [see Executive Summary at applications and makes https://www.turn2us.org.uk/T2UWebsite/media/Documents/C arrangements for Trustees to ommunications%20documents/Living-Without-Executive- consider each of the cases. Summary-Final-Web.pdf] SWWT Newsletter June 2021 South Warwickshire Welfare Trust Charity Registration Number 235967 Referrals: How do Trustees make a grant decision? SWWT requires referrals be Applications are made on a special form. In order to satisfy the made and grants be stated criteria of the Trust, Trustees need to be able to establish administered through helping objectively from this that the client is ‘in need’. agencies so that the client They must also live in Warwick District - the towns of Leamington benefits from a holistic Warwick, Kenilworth and Whitnash, together with surrounding approach to their problem. parishes - or the Southam area [*see below] Examples include: Consideration is then given to the item being requested, to the Citizens Advice South eligibility of the applicant and to what other help may be available: Warwickshire and other Is the applicant sick or disabled (or is the applicant the helping charities carer/family member)? Local Housing Authority Would having the item make a difference to the applicant’s and Housing Associations ability to manage a disability or long-term sickness (for instance Social Services and Family a washer/dryer for a family which has extra washing because of Information/ Children’s sickness? Centres Is the applicant ‘poor’ (on means-tested benefits or on a low Mental Health Resource income)? centres Is there a state benefit which could be claimed instead? Social Prescribers Trustees work to a quarterly allocation of funds according to the (attached to GP practices). charity’s account balance. *Former Rural District of Southam includes the following parishes: Avon Dassett Bishops Itchington Burton Dassett Chadshunt Chapel Ascote Chesterton Farnborough Fenny Compton Gaydon Harbury Hodnell Kingston Ladbroke Lighthorne Long Itchington Napton on the Hill Priors Hardwick Priors Marston Radbourne Radway Ratley Shotteswell Shuckburgh Southam Stockton Stoneton Ufton Upton Warmington Watergall Wills Pasture Wormleighton We know that there are SWWT has limited funds and knows there are unmet needs. It is serious problems in our therefore looking to fundraise and has had some success in raising area due to Covid-19. funds locally by attracting sponsorship from local businesses Government restrictions PB Forestry, Denfield and Automotive Solutions (our thanks have hit those who are to them). This area of work is ongoing. sick and poor the hardest. SWWT has been adopted by the Leamington Lawn Tennis & Grants have been down Squash Club as its Charity of the Year (thank you LLTSC) and one over the year but Trustees of the Trustees will be running an ultra-marathon in July. continue to meet and to make awards. SWWT is particularly keen Contact details for applications: to make a difference at Mrs Jean Curry, Clerk to the Trustees, this exceptional time. South Warwickshire Welfare Trust They would welcome your 5 Waverley Road application. Kenilworth CV8 1JL e-mail [email protected] SWWT Newsletter June 2021 South Warwickshire Welfare Trust Charity Registration Number 235967 .