Garment And Textile Workers Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £343,000 (first year disbursement)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (closed giving model)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Leicester and surrounding areas
• Registered Charity Number: 1195329

Contact Details

• Website: www.GTWTrust.org.uk
• Email: hello@GTWTrust.org.uk
• Phone: 0800 246 5353
• Address: The Smithy, Sutton Lane, Dingley, Market Harborough LE16 8HL

Overview

The Garment and Textile Workers Trust (G&TWT) was established in October 2021 following revelations about exploitative working conditions in Leicester's garment industry. Initially funded with £1.1 million from Boohoo Group (£100,000 setup costs and £1 million for grants), the trust operates as an independent charitable organization to provide support, advocacy, and remedy for garment and textile workers in Leicester. The trust commissioned research from the University of Nottingham's Rights Lab to understand worker needs and inform evidence-based grant-making. In its first funding round, the trust disbursed £343,000 to local organizations providing direct support to vulnerable garment workers. The trust emphasizes complementing existing sector work rather than competing with it and has called for broader industry engagement beyond its founding funder.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through a closed giving model rather than open applications. Funding is directed through a contact group of local organizations that align with the trust's mission.

First Year Funding Priorities:

• English Language training and education for garment workers
• Advocacy support to help workers access and enforce their rights
• Food bank donations to address cost-of-living challenges in the garment district

Priority Areas

• Skills Development: ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), IT training, and workplace skills
• Workers' Rights Advocacy: Legal support, wage recovery, employment rights education
• Community Welfare: Food security, social welfare support, housing assistance
• Employment Support: Job placement services, career transition support for displaced workers
• Empowerment Programs: Training workers as workplace advocates and champions

What They Don't Fund

The trust focuses exclusively on supporting garment and textile workers in Leicester. Organizations outside this geographic area or serving other populations would not align with the trust's mission.

Ready to write a winning application for Garment And Textile Workers Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by an independent board of eight trustees with diverse expertise:

Kevin McKeever (Chair) - 15+ years in communications and public affairs

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the Garment and Textile Workers Trust and the team we have assembled to deliver on the ambitious objectives. The problems facing garment workers, not just in Leicester but across the country, are complex and multi-dimensional.”

Tim Nelson - Co-founder and CEO of Hope for Justice

“My hope and intention is to ensure that nobody is working in exploitative circumstances.”

Cheryl Chung - Corporate Affairs, developing ESG strategy for boohoo group

“We share a common aim to make a meaningful, lasting and measurable difference to the lives of garment and textile workers in Leicester.”

Allison Tripney - Head of Community at Leicester City Football Club

“Looking forward to making a real, measurable difference to Leicester-based textile workers.”

Lisa Shelvin - 25+ years in fashion and garment industry

“Excited to offer my understanding and support to individuals in the industry.”

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan - Founder/CEO of Zinthiya Trust

“Delighted to have joined the board...supporting our community.”

Salima Hussain-Chowdhury - 23 years in fashion design and manufacturing

“I truly believe I can make a difference to the lives of others in the garment manufacturing sector.”

David Lindley - Deputy Lieutenant for Leicester, background in policing

“Welcome the opportunity to make a difference for those unable to stand up for themselves.”

The board includes two “Lived Experience Trustees” - individuals with direct experience working in the garment and textile sector in Leicester.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have an open public application process. The trust operates through a closed giving model, working with a pre-selected contact group of local organizations that share their mission of providing support, remedy, and advocacy for garment workers in Leicester.

Organizations interested in being considered for future funding can submit their details via the contact form on the trust's website or email hello@GTWTrust.org.uk.

Getting on Their Radar

Since the trust works through a contact group of local Leicester-based organizations, potential applicants should:

• Demonstrate established track record: The trust has funded organizations already proving positive impact for garment workers, including Highfields Centre (FAB-L), Wesley Hall Community Centre, and Shama Women's Centre
• Align with priority areas: Organizations offering English language training, workers' rights advocacy, or food security support in Leicester's garment district are most aligned
• Make contact: Reach out via hello@GTWTrust.org.uk to express interest in joining their network of partner organizations
• Show evidence-based approaches: The trust values research-informed interventions and measurable outcomes

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The trust appears to make funding decisions through trustee meetings based on identified community needs and research findings.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the closed giving model with a pre-selected contact group, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Organizations in the contact group appear to receive ongoing consideration for funding.

Application Success Factors

While the trust does not accept open applications, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

Demonstrated Impact with Target Population

The trust prioritizes organizations with proven track records supporting garment workers. FAB-L (Highfields Centre) recovered over £100,000 in missing wages and helped 40 ex-garment workers find alternative employment before receiving trust funding.

Direct Service Delivery

Funded organizations provide hands-on support: Shama Women's Centre offers 48 weeks of free ESOL, workers' rights, and IT training annually; Wesley Hall runs a food pantry during the cost-of-living crisis.

Community Embeddedness

The trust values organizations deeply rooted in Leicester's garment district with established relationships with workers, particularly those serving Eastern European, Black, and South Asian minority ethnic communities.

Evidence-Based Approach

Kevin McKeever emphasized: "We're hoping the research...will identify the areas of support most demanded by the community." The trust uses University of Nottingham Rights Lab research to inform funding priorities rather than assumptions.

Alignment with Three Core Priorities

Organizations must deliver on at least one of: English language education, workers' rights advocacy, or food security/welfare support for the garment district.

Capacity Building and Empowerment

Funded programs train workers as advocates themselves - Shama Women's Centre trains women as workplace rights advocates; FAB-L employs Eastern European community engagement workers and social welfare rights advisors.

Measurable Outcomes

The trust looks for tangible results: number of workers trained, wages recovered, jobs secured, or families supported through food pantries.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No open application process - This trust works through a closed network of pre-selected Leicester organizations; contact them to express interest in joining this network
• Geographic specificity is crucial - Focus is exclusively on garment and textile workers in Leicester and immediate surrounding areas
• Evidence of existing impact - Organizations should demonstrate proven success supporting the target population before approaching the trust
• Alignment with research priorities - The trust is informed by University of Nottingham Rights Lab research identifying worker needs; proposals should reflect these evidence-based priorities
• Three funding pillars - English language training, workers' rights advocacy, and food security are the stated priorities
• Industry engagement welcomed - The trust has called for other companies sourcing in Leicester to support their mission beyond Boohoo Group's initial funding
• Lived experience valued - The inclusion of trustees with direct garment sector experience indicates appreciation for community voices

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• FB Coales No 4 (Family) Trust
• The Green Room Charitable Trust
• The Rasche Family Charitable Trust
• Equitable Charity Trust
• The John Armitage Charitable Trust
• The Purslow Trust
• THE ROBERT GAVRON CHARITABLE TRUST
• E B M Charitable Trust
• The Hawthorne Charitable Trust
• The Albert Dawson Educational Trust

References

• Garment and Textile Workers Trust official website. Homepage. https://gtwtrust.org.uk/
• Garment and Textile Workers Trust. “Our Giving” page. https://gtwtrust.org.uk/our-giving/
• Garment and Textile Workers Trust. “Meet the Team” page. https://gtwtrust.org.uk/team/
• Charity Commission for England and Wales. “GARMENT AND TEXTILE WORKERS TRUST - Charity Overview.” Charity Number 1195329. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5176417/charity-overview
• Drapers. "Leicester Garment and Textile Workers Trust: 'Join us in taking action now'." October 2021. https://www.drapersonline.com/insight/comment/leicester-garment-and-textile-workers-trust-join-us-in-taking-action-now
• Sourcing Journal. "Leicester Garment Worker Exploitation 'Normalized and Tolerated,' Study Finds." June 2022. https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/labor/boohoo-leicester-garment-workers-exploitation-university-of-nottingham-rights-lab-349290/
• Hope for Justice. “Leicester garment workers inform action plan to improve their lives.” June 2022. https://hopeforjustice.org/news/leicester-garment-workers-inform-action-plan-to-improve-their-lives/