Clergy Support Trust

Clergy Support Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 207736).

Clergy Support Trust, formerly Sons & Friends of the Clergy, is a registered charity that supports Anglican clergy families through difficult times, whether caused by financial hardship, health problems or other difficulties. It works mainly through cash grants to individual beneficiaries and through working with other clergy wellbeing organisations. In its latest annual report it awarded £166,267 and provided grants and services to 2,901 households, mainly in the Church of England but also in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Only a limited number of its grants go to organisations or dioceses for activities supporting clergy households' health and wellbeing.

Priority Areas

The Trust supports Anglican clergy and their households through difficult times, including financial, physical and mental-health challenges. Its main focus is discretionary grants and support services for serving and retired clergy in the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Ireland, together with their dependants; it also provides limited support to ordinands. Much of its assistance is directed to individual beneficiaries. It also makes a limited number of grants to organisations or dioceses for activities supporting clergy households’ health and wellbeing. These can include activities that build networks and friendships among clergy families and other eligible groups, and contributions to retreat-centre costs where eligible people receive therapeutic support.

Themes

• Financial support
• Health conditions
• Clergy wellbeing

Geographic Focus

The United Kingdom; The Republic of Ireland.

Organisations interested in an Organisation grant should contact the Trust for an initial chat before applying.

Who can apply:

• Organisation grant: The applying organisation or diocese should provide a contribution towards overall costs for activity days.

What to send:

• Full Stipend slip; receipt; invoice(s); letter of recommendation; evidence of training; quotes; etc.
• Organisation grant: Applications should include income generated from such retreats and from therapies per guest, alongside costs associated with running the retreat. This must be based on actual income and expenditure.

Applying again: Emergency Grant: You may apply up to twice per household in a calendar year.

What the charity says:

• The applying organisation or diocese is expected to contribute towards overall costs.
• Retreat-centre applicants should ensure eligible applicants attend the retreat.
• Retreat-centre applications should include one or more therapeutic elements, such as counselling, psychotherapy, art therapy, CBT or coaching.
• Retreat-centre applications should set out actual income generated per guest and associated running costs.