Friends Of The Yeatman Hospital

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £244,165 (expenditure year ending March 2024)
• Annual Income: £115,179 (year ending March 2024)
• Grant Range: Up to £10,000 (Projects and Small Grants Group) / Over £10,000 (Executive Board approval)
• Geographic Focus: Sherborne, Dorset and surrounding area
• Decision Time: Quarterly (aligned with Executive Board meetings)

Contact Details

• Website: https://friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk
• Email: admin@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk (general) / admin2@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk (funding applications)
• Phone: 01935 813991
• Address: Yeatman Hospital, Hospital Lane, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3JU

Overview

The Friends of the Yeatman Hospital was established in 1951 to support the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne, Dorset. The charity was formally registered with the Charity Commission in 1994 (charity number 1031326). Over the past decade, the organisation has committed funds in excess of £800,000 to health and health-related projects. The charity operates with 8 trustees and 20 volunteers, with no paid staff. While originally focused solely on hospital support, the Friends have expanded their remit to include community health initiatives, supporting schools, mental health programmes, and youth services in the Sherborne area. Financial performance varies significantly year to year based on legacy income - 2020 saw exceptional income of £743,955 largely from legacies, while more typical years see income around £67,000-£115,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hospital Equipment and Facilities

• Medical equipment (ultrasound machines, UVL treatment equipment, exercise bikes)
• Facility improvements (redecoration, furniture, garden maintenance)
• Patient amenities (newspapers, flowers, drinks machines, television services, supplementary therapies)

Community Health Initiatives (up to £10,000 or more with Executive Board approval)

• Mental health support programmes in schools
• Youth health and wellbeing projects
• Community physiotherapy equipment
• Health education programmes

Priority Areas

• Healthcare equipment and facilities for The Yeatman Hospital
• Mental health support for young people and vulnerable groups
• Physical health and wellbeing initiatives in schools
• Community health education
• Projects serving the Sherborne and surrounding area

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside the Sherborne community area
• Organisations without a clear health or wellbeing focus
• General operational costs not related to specific health initiatives

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Joanna Clare Mears (appointed June 2023)

Current Trustees (8 total):

• Joanna Clare Mears (Chair) - appointed June 2023
• Lisa Katherine Lewis - appointed March 2025
• Richard Anthony Charrington - appointed March 2025
• Vaughan Coleridge-Matthews - appointed January 2024
• Alice Maria Johnsen - appointed September 2023
• Cheryl Whybrew - appointed June 2022
• Michael Parkinson - appointed September 2021
• John Andrew Thompson - appointed June 2018

The charity maintains documented policies covering complaints handling, conflicts of interest, financial reserves, risk management, safeguarding, trustee expenses, and volunteer management. No trustees receive remuneration or benefits.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Initial Contact: Contact the admin team at admin2@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk to discuss whether your funding request is likely to meet the charity's criteria
2. Application Form: Download and complete the application form from their website
3. Submission: Return completed form to admin2@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk

Grant Decision Structure

• Applications up to £10,000: Considered by the Projects and Small Grants Group
• Applications over £10,000: Determined by the Executive Board

Decision Timeline

• The Executive Board meets quarterly
• Specific cut-off dates exist for funding requests to align with these meetings
• Contact the charity for current deadline dates

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission: Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project supports:

• The Yeatman Hospital directly, OR
• Health and wellbeing outcomes for the Sherborne community

Examples of Successfully Funded Projects:

• Ultrasound scanning equipment for The Yeatman Hospital
• UVL machine for treating skin conditions
• Physiotherapy equipment for patient recovery
• Exercise bike for Outpatient Department Gym
• Outdoor gym equipment for Harbour Vale School (mental health and wellbeing support)
• Mental health counselling support through The Rendezvous youth project
• Young Parents support project at The Rendezvous

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

• Clear health or wellbeing focus
• Direct benefit to Sherborne community residents
• Projects that can demonstrate measurable outcomes (e.g., Harbour Vale School's outdoor gym improved student social skills, peer relationships, and anxiety management)
• Alignment with current priority areas including mental health support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is strict: Projects must serve the Sherborne, Dorset area and surrounding community
• Two funding routes exist: Smaller grants (up to £10K) have a faster process through the Projects and Small Grants Group; larger requests require Executive Board approval
• Pre-application discussion encouraged: Contact admin2@friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk before submitting to check eligibility
• Quarterly deadlines apply: Plan your application timeline around Executive Board meeting dates
• Expanded scope beyond hospital: While originally hospital-focused, the charity now funds community health initiatives including school programmes and youth mental health projects
• Evidence of outcomes valued: Funded projects like the Harbour Vale School gym demonstrate the charity values projects that can show clear impact
• Local connections matter: The charity supports organisations already embedded in the Sherborne community (e.g., The Rendezvous, local schools)

References

• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1031326&subid=0
• Friends of the Yeatman Hospital website: https://friendsoftheyeatman.org.uk
• Total Giving charity profile: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/friends-of-the-yeatman-hospital
• Charity Choice profile: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/friends-of-the-yeatman-hospital
• The Rendezvous website: https://www.therendezvous.org.uk