Duchy Health Charity Limited

Charity Number: 271957

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M
Geographic Focus: Isles Of Scilly, Cornwall

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000+ (estimated based on total expenditure)
  • Total Grants Distributed Since Inception: Over £9 million
  • Decision Time: 2-8 weeks (depending on grant size)
  • Grant Range: Up to £30,000 (larger grants considered by Board)
  • Geographic Focus: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
  • Founded: 1976

Contact Details

Website: www.duchyhealthcharity.org

Email: Helen@duchyhealthcharity.org or info@duchyhealthcharity.org

Phone: 07884 556106

Administrator: Helen Newton (primary contact for all grant enquiries)

Address: PO Box 352, St. Austell PL25 9JE

Overview

Duchy Health Charity Limited was established in 1976 from £5 million proceeds from the sale of Cornwall's first private hospital. Over nearly 50 years, this Cornwall-based charity has distributed over £9 million to smaller health and wellbeing charities across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The charity operates with a completely volunteer-led Board of Trustees and one administrative staff member, with annual income generated from investments. Their strategic approach focuses on prevention, direct healthcare improvements, and identifying current health needs through grant-making, research support, and organizing conferences and seminars. Recent initiatives include developing Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centres in schools, supporting social prescribing networks, and hosting annual Health & Wellbeing conferences to highlight best practices and emerging priorities in Cornwall's health sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (Up to £5,000)

  • Reviewed monthly outside of quarterly Grant Committee meetings
  • Faster turnaround for smaller projects
  • Examples: £3,164 for Bodmin Wellbeing Orchestra launch, £2,550 for Age UK Pain Cafe

Medium Grants (£5,000 - £30,000)

  • Discussed at quarterly Grant Committee meetings
  • Applications must be submitted at least one month before meetings
  • Decision within two weeks after meeting
  • Examples: £20,000 for Dentaid emergency dental care, £16,000 for Dementia UK Admiral Nurses, £20,000 for Trelya 'Nerth' project

Large Grants (Over £30,000)

  • Reviewed by Grant Committee before forwarding to full Board for consideration
  • Longer decision timeline

All grants available on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Priority Areas

The charity gives priority to projects that:

  • Improve direct healthcare for the community and individuals
  • Promote prevention and health promotion rather than just treatment
  • Provide equipment and services that other agencies don't provide
  • Leverage additional support from other funding sources (match funding valued)
  • Support health and wellbeing for people of all ages in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
  • Address mental health, physical health, and holistic wellbeing
  • Support vulnerable populations (homeless, elderly, families, children)
  • Provide innovative approaches to health challenges

Recent funded priorities include:

  • Mental health and wellbeing programs
  • Emergency healthcare access for vulnerable populations
  • Dementia care and support
  • Trauma therapy and counseling
  • Social prescribing initiatives
  • Health and wellbeing in workplace settings
  • Sailing and outdoor activities for therapeutic benefit
  • Pain management support

What They Don't Fund

The charity does not give grants to:

  • Individuals
  • Commercial businesses
  • Profit-making organisations
  • Groups whose beneficiaries are not people
  • Applications that duplicate existing provision
  • Ongoing payment of core salaries, utilities, rent, or operational expenses (except in exceptional circumstances for new project/role salary costs for a limited period)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Dr Barbara Vann (Chair)

  • Former Headteacher and Chair of Cornwall Partnership Foundation (NHS) Trust
  • Masters, PhD, and Honorary DSc from University of Exeter
  • Quote: "We were thrilled to welcome an inspiring lineup of speakers and leading experts who shared insights into national and emerging priorities in the 'Health and Work' field."
  • On cost-of-living partnership: “I am delighted that Duchy Health Charity is joining forces with CCF to help the people of Cornwall. This donation will be used to give wide-ranging support to those who are in need, especially those who may not be able to access statutory services.”

Mark Williams (Treasurer and Company Secretary)

  • Chartered accountant specializing in charity sector
  • Joined 2014

Gaynor Coley (Chair, Grant Committee)

  • Former Eden Project Director
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Joined 2024

Grant Committee Members

  • Dr John Evers - Consultant physician, community geriatrician (joined 2018)
  • Katy Hutchinson - Social worker, Managing Director of The CHAOS Group (joined 2022)
  • Prof Anthony Woolf - Professor of Rheumatology (joined 2024)
  • Olivia Miller - Solicitor specializing in Charity Law (joined 2024)
  • Jenny Taylor - Public health specialist, UK Health Security Agency (joined 2024)
  • Dr Tamsyn Anderson - Former GP, Chief Operating Officer for CPFT (joined 2018)
  • Lucy Walsh - Public Health Specialist focusing on pregnancy and child health (joined 2024)
  • Tracey Roose - Former Chief Executive of Age UK Cornwall (joined 2024)

Finance Committee

  • Olivia Miller
  • Simon Burnett - Investment professional (joined 2024)

Staff

Helen Newton (Administrator) - Contact point for all enquiries, joined April 2022, previously at Healthwatch Cornwall

President: Katharine, Lady Falmouth (Honorary)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application Form: Complete via the charity's website at duchyhealthcharity.org

Pre-Application Support: Contact Helen Newton at helen@duchyhealthcharity.org or 07884 556106 for:

  • Advice on whether to submit an application
  • Guidance on application completion
  • Signposting to other funding opportunities

Application Requirements:

  • Organizational details (registered charity number, address, website, staffing, annual turnover)
  • Recognized governing document
  • Minimum of 3 unconnected Directors/Trustees
  • Proven financial management track record
  • Accounts for last financial year
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • Project details (name, dates, objectives, beneficiaries, outcomes)
  • Clear funding request justification

Important: Unsubmitted applications are only saved for 2 months from start date - must be submitted within this timeframe.

Decision Timeline

Grants up to £5,000:

  • Reviewed monthly
  • Decision within approximately 4 weeks

Grants £5,000 - £30,000:

  • Submit at least one month before quarterly Grant Committee meeting
  • Decision within two weeks after committee meeting
  • Total timeline: approximately 6-8 weeks

Grants over £30,000:

  • Grant Committee review followed by Board consideration
  • Extended timeline (contact charity for specifics)

Notification: Applicants receive written notification of decisions

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. Contact the charity for current application statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants not publicly stated. Contact Helen Newton for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

What the Charity Values

Prevention Focus: “Duchy Health Charity works across Cornwall to improve the Health of the people of Cornwall primarily through encouraging projects and awarding grants to fund projects that are mainly, but not exclusively, preventative or support health promotion.” - Barbara Vann, Chair

Leverage and Partnership: The charity is “especially interested in supporting applications where a contribution from Duchy Health Charity would help to leverage additional support from other sources.” Demonstrate how their funding will unlock other resources.

Direct Healthcare Impact: Priority given to “projects which improve direct healthcare for the community and individuals.”

Filling Gaps: They "help provide equipment and services that other agencies don't provide" - show how your project addresses an unmet need.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

  • Dentaid (£20,000) - Emergency dental care for people experiencing homelessness
  • Bodmin Wellbeing Orchestra (£3,164) - Supporting mental health recovery through music
  • Trelya 'Nerth' Project (£20,000) - Year-long weekly activities for families impacted by mental health issues
  • Dementia UK (£16,000) - Expanding Cornwall Admiral Nurse service
  • CLEAR Emotional Trauma (£10,000) - Therapy for abuse and trauma victims
  • Children's Sailing Trust (£11,000+) - 'Sailing for All' programme providing life skills and employment routes
  • Age UK (£2,550) - Pain Cafe launch in St Keverne

Application Tips

  1. Contact Helen Newton first if you're unsure about eligibility or application approach - the charity actively offers pre-application support
  2. Demonstrate prevention and health promotion aspects of your project
  3. Show how you fill a gap - what are you providing that isn't available elsewhere?
  4. Include match funding if possible - show how their grant leverages other resources
  5. Be specific about health outcomes for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly residents
  6. Ensure strong governance - minimum 3 unconnected trustees and sound financial management
  7. Have safeguarding in place - required for all applicants
  8. Consider timing - for grants over £5,000, plan around quarterly committee meetings
  9. Focus on direct healthcare improvements rather than general charitable work
  10. Save your application regularly - it only stays in the system for 2 months if unsubmitted

Language and Terminology They Use

  • “Health and wellbeing” (holistic approach)
  • “Prevention” (not just treatment)
  • “People of all ages” (inclusive)
  • “Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly” (geographic specificity)
  • “Direct healthcare”
  • “Leverage additional support”
  • “Filling gaps in provision”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Geographic specificity is essential - Your project must clearly benefit people living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This is non-negotiable.
  1. Prevention is prioritized - Frame your project around preventing health issues and promoting wellbeing, not just addressing existing problems. The charity's strategic approach emphasizes prevention.
  1. Demonstrate the gap you're filling - Clearly articulate what services/equipment are NOT currently available and how your project addresses this unmet need. Avoid duplicating existing provision.
  1. Size your ask appropriately - Grants up to £5,000 have fastest turnaround (monthly review). Larger asks need more lead time for quarterly meetings. Plan accordingly.
  1. Use pre-application support - Helen Newton actively offers guidance and signposting. Taking advantage of this relationship-building opportunity can strengthen your application and prevent wasted effort.
  1. Match funding strengthens applications - The charity is “especially interested” in applications where their contribution leverages other funding. Show your fundraising strategy.
  1. Strong governance matters - Ensure you have minimum 3 unconnected trustees, proven financial management, and safeguarding policies before applying. This is screened at eligibility stage.

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