Building And Civil Engineering Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £393,750 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified - contact-based process
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: UK (construction industry)

Contact Details

Website: http://bandce.co.uk/charitable-trust/

Email: charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk

Phone: 0808 801 0372 (Construction Worker Helpline - Freephone, 8am-8pm, 7 days a week)

General Enquiries: 0300 200 0600

Press Contact: Sarah Puttock - sarahputtock@peoplespartnership.co.uk / 01293 205004

Overview

The Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust (charity number 1004732) was established in 1991 to give back to the construction community. Over more than 30 years of operation, the Trust has helped thousands of people and funded vital research into occupational health and safety in the construction industry. With annual expenditure of approximately £393,750, the Trust focuses on supporting construction workers—past, present, and future—through individual hardship grants, education and training support, and corporate grants for organizations advancing safety and employability in the sector. The Trust operates with a relational approach, emphasizing partnerships rather than transactional grant-making, and is governed by a board of trustees with extensive construction industry experience.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Hardship Grants

• Support for rent arrears/advance, mortgage arrears, essential utility bills (gas, electricity, water, council tax)
• Funeral costs
• Mobility aids for those with medical needs
• Typical amounts not specified - assessed on individual need
• Application method: Rolling basis via phone or email

Individual Training Grants

• Up to £500 for construction qualifications (if unemployed 3+ months after working in construction 12+ months)
• Up to £750 for retraining due to occupational health issues
• Application method: Rolling basis via phone or email

Organizational Education & Training Grants

• £1,000 - £15,000 for UK not-for-profit organizations
• Support for construction-related education, training, and skills development programs
• Application method: Initial enquiry to secretary by email

Construction Employability Award

• £20,000 annual award (sometimes referenced as £25,000)
• For organizations demonstrating significant impact on training and employability in construction
• Deadline: October 10 annually (applications open September)
• Application method: Fixed annual deadline

Mowlem Award

• £20,000 annual award
• For organizations demonstrating achievements in training or promotion of health and safety in construction
• Application method: Annual competition

Occupational Health Research Award

• £25,000 annual grant
• For UK research institutions conducting occupational health studies benefiting construction
• Application method: Annual competition

Priority Areas

• Construction-specific trade training and apprenticeships
• Retraining for construction workers facing occupational health challenges
• Mental health support for construction workers (particularly self-employed)
• Occupational health and safety research
• Diversity and inclusion in construction (women, young people, care leavers)
• Heritage construction skills training
• Youth employability in construction
• Support for construction workers experiencing financial hardship

What They Don't Fund

For Individuals:

• Day-to-day living costs
• White goods
• Bankruptcy fees
• Flooring
• Debt relief orders
• Loans
• Car-related expenses
• Carer fees
• Holidays
• Clothing
• Non-essential home maintenance
• Directors of limited companies (only tradespersons, self-employed, and sole traders eligible)

For Organizations:

• Public sector organizations (typically excluded, though uncertain cases may enquire)
• Non-construction-related projects
• Projects outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Patrick Heath-Lay – CEO and Chair

• Joined B&CE in 1985; became CEO in October 2012
• Instrumental in launching The People's Pension

Bob Blackman

• Career began as a bricklayer in the construction industry
• Appointed T&G National Secretary for construction in 1998
• Board Member of Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
• Became Trustee in January 2001

Vaughan Hart – Employer Representative

• Head of Employment Affairs at Scottish Building Federation since 2006
• Managing Director of SBF since 2013
• Background in HR and employment law
• Became Trustee in December 2020

Rupert Perkins

• Managing Director of John Perkins Construction (Bristol/Newport)
• Company won Building Contractor of the Year (2020)
• Former board positions with Considerate Constructors Scheme, National Federation of Builders
• Member of CITB Industry Funding Committee

Jerry Swain

• Apprenticed as carpenter in 1975
• National Operatives' Secretary, Unite
• Vice Chair of Construction Industry Joint Council
• Board Member of Construction Skills Certification Scheme

Senior Staff

Nicola Sinclair – Head of Charitable Trust

Faye Sewell – Corporate Relationship Manager

The Board emphasizes construction industry expertise, ensuring trustees understand the challenges faced by workers and can target support effectively.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individuals:

1. Call the Construction Worker Helpline: 0808 801 0372 (8am-8pm, 7 days)
2. Or email: charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk
3. Must demonstrate worked in UK construction as a 'tradesperson' for at least 12 months (at any point in employment history)
4. Tradesperson definition: manually involved in building projects (laborers, painters, decorators, plant drivers, scaffolders, grounds workers on civil engineering projects)

For Organizations (Education/Training Grants £1,000-£15,000):

1. Initial enquiry to secretary by email: charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk
2. Enquiries may be made at any time (rolling basis)
3. Must be UK not-for-profit organization
4. Public sector typically excluded but can enquire if uncertain

For Annual Awards (Construction Employability, Mowlem, Occupational Health Research):

1. Contact trust for application details and deadlines
2. Construction Employability Award applications typically close October 10
3. Subscribe to B&CE newsletter for updates on when applications open (usually September)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The Trust emphasizes a consultative, relationship-based approach rather than formal deadlines, particularly for smaller individual and organizational grants. For annual awards, decisions are typically made following the application deadline, with announcements made publicly.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust states that trustees “carefully assess each application received” but does not publish statistics on application volumes or approval rates.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Given the rolling nature of most grant programs and the relational approach emphasized by the Trust, unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to contact the Trust directly to discuss whether reapplication is appropriate.

Application Success Factors

For Individual Grants:

• Clear demonstration of construction industry employment history (12+ months as a tradesperson)
• Evidence of genuine hardship or training need
• Focus on essential rather than discretionary expenses
• Willingness to engage with the Construction Worker Helpline for support beyond just financial assistance

For Organizational Education/Training Grants:

• Direct connection to construction industry training and employability
• Focus on trade-specific skills and accredited qualifications
• Addressing barriers to entry for underrepresented groups (women, young people, care leavers)
• Clear career pathways for participants
• Evidence of addressing skills shortages in the sector
• Partnership approach - the Trust values building relationships, not just providing funds

For Annual Awards:

• Demonstrated significant impact at local and/or national level
• Innovation in addressing construction industry challenges
• Evidence-based approaches to training or research
• Addressing strategic priorities such as mental health, diversity, heritage skills
• Clear measurable outcomes

Language and Approach:

According to Faye Sewell, Corporate Relationship Manager: “There is a national shortage of heritage building skills here in the UK, so it is particularly exciting that the award will be used to enable students to gain the skills and confidence they need to begin and continue successful careers.”

The Trust emphasizes:

• “Making a significant difference towards training and employability within construction”
• Supporting workers “past, present and future”
• Addressing “the needs of workers...to help make a better life possible”
• Building “a real relationship” with partners, not just transactional funding

Recent Funded Projects:

• CarringtonLIME Heritage Skills Training C.I.C (£20,000, Construction Employability Award 2024/25) - heritage plastering program
• YouthBuild Ventures UK Ltd (£20,000, Construction Employability Award 2023/24) - supporting care leavers into construction
• Mates in Mind (ongoing support since 2017) - mental health awareness in construction
• Construction Youth Trust (20-year partnership) - youth employability
• Crawley Open House (2021) - training and education for construction workers experiencing homelessness
• Mates in Mind & Institute for Employment Studies (£25,000, Occupational Health Research Award 2020/21) - online mental health tools for self-employed workers
• University of Lincoln - occupational stress management research
• Loughborough University - musculoskeletal disorder studies
• Manchester University - occupational health design training

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Construction-specific focus is essential: All grants must demonstrably benefit construction workers or the construction industry - generic skills training or general hardship support will not be considered
• Relationship over transaction: The Trust explicitly states it offers “a relationship” not just funding - emphasize how you'll engage with the Trust beyond the grant period and how industry connections could benefit your work
• Address skills shortages and barriers: Projects that tackle specific skills gaps (e.g., heritage skills) or remove barriers for underrepresented groups align strongly with the Trust's priorities
• Think beyond training to employability: The Trust values clear career pathways and sustainable employment outcomes, not just qualification attainment
• Contact before formal application: The Trust encourages initial enquiries by email or phone - use this to test fit and refine your proposal before submitting
• Mental health and occupational health are strategic priorities: Recent awards show strong interest in research and programs addressing psychological wellbeing and work-related health issues
• Leverage board expertise: The trustees have deep construction industry knowledge - proposals that demonstrate understanding of industry-specific challenges will resonate

References

1. B&CE Charitable Trust Official Website - Main Page. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - How to Apply. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/how-to-apply/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - About the Charitable Trust. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/about-the-charitable-trust/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - Meet the Trustees. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/meet-the-trustees/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - Who We Partner With. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/who-we-partner-with/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - For Times of Need. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/for-times-of-need/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - Help for Education and Training. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/help-for-education-and-training/

1. B&CE Charitable Trust - Corporate Support. https://bandce.co.uk/the-charitable-trust/corporate-support/

1. “Programme to train more people into the heritage industry receives Construction Employability Award 2024/25.” B&CE, https://bandce.co.uk/programme-to-train-more-people-into-the-heritage-industry-receives-construction-employability-award-2024-25/

1. “Project to get more care leavers into construction industry receives £20,000 Construction Employability Award 2023/24.” B&CE, https://bandce.co.uk/project-to-get-more-care-leavers-into-construction-industry-receives-20000-construction-employability-award-2023-24/

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust (Charity Number 1004732). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1004732

1. Turn2us Grants Search - B&CE's Charitable Trust. https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/bces-charitable-trust-16405