Oliver Lymes' Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: Not publicly available
• Annual Expenditure: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: Whiston and Prescot, Merseyside
• Application Method: No public application process
• Established: 1709 (Registered with Charity Commission 1963)

Contact Details

Address: Tickle Hall Cross, 2 Derby Street, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 3LJ

Phone: 01744 746013

Email: OliverLymescharity@hotmail.com

Charity Number: 228646

Overview

Oliver Lymes' Charity was founded following a bequest in 1707 by Oliver Lyme, who served as Mayor of Liverpool in 1685-86 and 1686-87, though he was later dismissed as deputy mayor in 1687 by King James II. Born in Prescot in 1636, Oliver Lyme came from a well-established family of mercers. In 1707 at the age of 71, he left £500 in bonds to Jonathan Case, Lord of the Manor of Whiston, for the purpose of building almshouses. These were built in 1709 for the use of poor persons of the area. Oliver died in 1716, leaving his sister Ellen Glover as his sole heir and executrix.

With over 300 years of history, the charity holds funds primarily invested in CCLA. The charity's mission is the prevention or relief of poverty, the relief of sickness, and the preservation of health among people residing permanently or temporarily in Whiston and Prescot who are in need. The charity operates under a scheme dated 27 June 1958, as amended by a scheme dated 12 January 2023 and further amended on 24 January 2025. In addition to grant-making, the charity administers a block of almshouse flats at Oliver Lyme House, St James Road, Prescot, Merseyside.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates both major and small grant programs:

Major Grants - Larger strategic grants to local organisations:

• Avondale: Supported accessibility improvements and community gardening projects, including replacement of broken raised beds and poly tunnels
• Willowbrook Hospice: Funded a pilot project supporting district nurses and palliative care
• Caring Connections: Provided core funding for organisational wellbeing and staff support

Small Grants - Awards to local charities, primary schools, and community groups in Whiston and Prescot

Recent grant recipients include:

• Big Help Project (Knowsley Foodbank)
• Vee's Place
• Local primary schools
• The Salvation Army
• Alzheimer's Society
• Various other local organisations

Priority Areas

• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Relief of sickness
• Preservation of health
• Shelter for homeless, vulnerable, and excluded people
• Community projects serving residents of Whiston and Prescot

The charity's guiding principles emphasise “preserving lives, preventing poverty, providing hope.”

Geographic Restrictions

Grants are restricted to individuals and organisations serving people residing permanently or temporarily in Whiston and Prescot, Merseyside.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by trustees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

The charity has established policies for:

• Complaints handling
• Conflicts of interest
• Financial reserves
• Risk management
• Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries

How to Apply to Oliver Lymes' Charity

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The charity operates primarily through trustee discretion, identifying and supporting organisations and individuals in the Whiston and Prescot area based on local knowledge and relationships. Grants appear to be awarded based on trustees' awareness of community needs rather than through an open application process.

While there is no formal public application system, interested organisations may contact the charity directly to discuss potential grant opportunities:

• Email: OliverLymescharity@hotmail.com
• Phone: 01744 746013

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified as the charity operates on a trustee-discretion basis rather than fixed grant rounds.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available due to the absence of a formal public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Given the charity's trustee-led approach, the following factors are likely important:

Geographic Focus: The charity is strictly limited to serving people in Whiston and Prescot, Merseyside. Projects must demonstrably benefit residents of these areas.

Alignment with Mission: Projects should clearly address prevention or relief of poverty, relief of sickness, or preservation of health. Recent grants suggest particular interest in:

• Healthcare and palliative care services
• Food banks and poverty relief
• Community wellbeing and accessibility
• Support for vulnerable and excluded populations

Local Impact: As evidenced by grants to primary schools, local foodbanks, and community organisations, the charity prioritises tangible local impact in a high-deprivation area.

Organisational Sustainability: The grant to Caring Connections for core funding and organisational wellbeing suggests openness to supporting charity infrastructure, not just programmes.

Evidence of Need: Operating in areas of high deprivation, the charity appears responsive to demonstrated community needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process - This charity operates through trustee discretion and local relationships rather than open applications
• Strict geographic restriction - Only organisations and individuals in Whiston and Prescot are eligible
• Long-established local trust - Over 300 years of history serving the local community
• Diverse grant sizes - Awards range from small grants to schools and community groups to major grants for hospice care and community facilities
• Contact-based approach - Interested organisations should reach out directly via email or phone to introduce their work and discuss potential funding
• Mission alignment essential - Projects must address poverty, sickness, or health preservation
• Local knowledge valued - Trustees have deep understanding of area needs

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• P H Holt Foundation
• Pilkington Charities Fund
• Bathgate Charitable Trust
• Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust
• The Hemby Charitable Trust
• The General Charity Fund
• The Medicash Foundation
• Community Foundations For Lancashire And Merseyside
• The 64 Trust
• The Harold And Alice Bridges Charity

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Oliver Lymes' Charity (228646). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/228646/full-print []
• Oliver Lymes Charity website - Services page. Available at: https://www.oliverlymescharity.org.uk/services []
• Oliver Lymes Charity website - About page. Available at: https://www.oliverlymescharity.org.uk/about []
• Liverpool City Halls - Civic Honours. Available at: https://liverpoolcityhalls.co.uk/civic-honours/ []
• Giving is Great - Oliver Lymes' Charity Factsheet. Available at: https://givingisgreat.org/charity-factsheet/?regNo=228646 []