Charities of John and Frances West for Pensioners
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The foundation mainly gives means-tested support to individuals aged 60 or over, with preference for members of the founders' family, and it also makes block grants to organisations where they meet its charitable objects, so a small charity fits best if its work serves older people.
- Its total annual giving was £25,000 in the annual report, and no grant range is stated, so a modest request is the realistic size.
- No public application process is published, but for pension support the report asks people to contact the office at The Counting House, Christ's Hospital, so ask there before submitting a proposal.
- Individual pensions run for three-year terms and can be renewed if the person remains eligible, and the stated preference for family members and the means-testing suggest the process is relationship-led rather than open.
- Do not apply if your beneficiaries are under 60, live outside the British Isles, or have income outside the limits the Trustees have set, and individual applicants must prove their family relationship with birth and marriage certificates.
Overview
Charities of John and Frances West for Pensioners is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 229579).
The charities exist to relieve financial need, hardship or distress among people aged 60 or above, giving preference to members of the founders' family by any appropriate means, including pensions or grants. They make grants to individuals and block grants to organisations that meet the criteria in their charitable objects. At the year-end there were 217 recipients of pensions.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The foundation relieves financial need, hardship or distress among people aged 60 or above, with preference given to members of John and Frances West’s family. It makes means-tested, regularly monitored grants to individuals and block grants to organisations where they satisfy the criteria in its charitable objects. Pensioners who qualify receive support for three-year terms and, if they remain eligible, may apply for further grants when the term ends. The foundation has also extended its reach to fund senior well-being classes for less mobile people looking to return to exercise. Its approach combines individual financial support with grants to organisations serving older people.
Themes
- Older people's financial relief
Geographic Focus
British Isles. (as reported in other published sources)
What they don't fund
- Persons under 60 years of age
- Persons who are not members of John and Frances West’s family, except as a preference is given to family members
- Applicants whose total income falls outside the limits fixed by the Trustees (as reported in other published sources)
- Applicants who do not reside in the British Isles (as reported in other published sources)
- Applicants who cannot prove their relationship by consanguinity to John and Frances West by birth and marriage certificates, as required (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
The report describes block grants to organisations that meet the charitable-object criteria. For pension support, people who may benefit are asked to contact Mrs Janet Young at The Counting House, Christ’s Hospital.
Who can apply:
- Pensions
- Age not less than 60 years.
- Total income to fall within limits fixed by the Trustees, which are reviewed in line with State Benefits.
- Residence in the British Isles.
What to send:
- Pensions
- Birth and marriage certificates, as required, to prove relationship by consanguinity to John and Frances West.
- A further form giving details of income and outgoings when the three-year term ends.
Applying again: Pensions: After a term of three years, pensioners may be re-elected for a further period of three years and so on if they remain eligible.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- All grants are means-tested and subject to regular monitoring by the Trustee.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Charities of John and Frances West for Pensioners.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 August 2021 | £204,000 | £238,000 | — | Accounts for year to 31 August 2021 |
| year to 31 August 2022 | £187,000 | £222,000 | — | Accounts for year to 31 August 2022 |
| year to 31 August 2023 | £227,000 | £258,000 | — | Accounts for year to 31 August 2023 |
| year to 31 August 2024 | £258,000 | £292,000 | — | Accounts for year to 31 August 2024 |
| year to 31 August 2025 | £326,000 | £299,000 | £25,000 | Accounts for year to 31 August 2025 |
- Grants paid, year to 31 August 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- west-group.org/pensions.html · read on 25 October 2026; a page about the charity on another site
- Annual report (year to 31 August 2025)
Sources last checked on 25 October 2026.
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At a glance
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Contact
- 01403 247555source
- nb@christs-hospital.org.uksource
- THE COUNTING HOUSE, CHRISTS HOSPITAL, HORSHAM, RH13 0YPsource
- The Counting House, Christ's Hospital, Horsham, RH13 0YPsource
Stay Updated
Get updates on Charities of John and Frances West for Pensioners and other funders
SubscribeApplying to Charities of John and Frances West for Pensioners?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 01403 247555source
- nb@christs-hospital.org.uksource
- THE COUNTING HOUSE, CHRISTS HOSPITAL, HORSHAM, RH13 0YPsource
- The Counting House, Christ's Hospital, Horsham, RH13 0YPsource