Peter Lang Children's Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £441,957 (2024 expenditure)
• Grant Range: £15,000 - £40,000 per year
• Grant Duration: Up to 2 years (historically up to 4 years)
• Geographic Focus: Gloucestershire, with priority areas in Forest of Dean, North Cotswolds, and areas surrounding Berkeley (including Cam and Dursley)
• Decision Time: Approximately 4 months from Expression of Interest to final decision

Contact Details

Website: www.plct.org.uk

Email: office@pltrust.org.uk

Phone: 01452 301123

Address: Units 4/5, City Works, Alfred Street, Gloucester, GL1 4DF

Trust Manager: Diane Mautterer

Overview

The Peter Lang Children's Trust (charity number 1121344) has been providing grant support to organisations working with children in Gloucestershire since 2003. Founded by Swiss businessman Peter Lang, who left his personal wealth and his publishing company to the Trust, PLCT became fully independent in 2015 following the sale of Peter Lang International Academic Publishing. With annual expenditure of approximately £442,000, the Trust focuses exclusively on early years and early intervention, with a specific mission to increase the number of babies and toddlers (from conception to three years of age) in Gloucestershire who experience loving, nurturing, and harm-free childhoods. The Trust is committed to evidence-based practice, rigorous evaluation, and partnership working, and provides additional support to grantees including funding advice and facilitation of collaborative relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £15,000 - £40,000 per year

• Grants awarded for up to two years
• Paid in quarterly instalments
• Focus on services for babies and toddlers (conception to 3 years)
• Must be delivered in Gloucestershire

Ann Perrins Award for Service Development

• Launched in January 2024
• Open to organisations currently supported by PLCT
• Funds staff training to gain recognised accreditation
• Aims to enable setup and delivery of new programmes

Priority Areas

Age Group: Babies and toddlers from conception to three years of age

Target Families: Families with significant risk factors requiring early intervention support

Geographic Priority Areas:

• Forest of Dean
• North Cotswolds
• Areas surrounding Berkeley (including Cam and Dursley)

Organisational Profile: Small to medium-sized registered charities (annual income £10,000 - £1 million) operating and based within Gloucestershire

Approach:

• Evidence-based activities with strong research foundation
• Rigorous evaluation processes using validated measurement tools
• Partnership working and engagement with families, children's centres, and community organisations
• Clear demonstration of measurable outcomes (before and after)

What They Don't Fund

• Capital appeals (building costs, large items like minibuses)
• Individual activities or trips unless part of a broader programme
• Projects where expenditure has already been incurred
• Direct funding to individuals
• Plugging gaps in funding for statutory services

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Robin Balbernie - Chair

An infant mental health specialist and former Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist in Gloucestershire CAMHS. He worked with Children's Centres in the county as clinical lead of 'Secure Start', providing a community infant mental health service.

Bridget Osicki - Vice Chair & HR Adviser

John Holland - Treasurer

Arabella Bruce-Smith - Philanthropy Portfolio

Philippa Sweet - Philanthropy Portfolio

Stephen Hawkins - Business Portfolio

Staff

Diane Mautterer - Trust Manager

The Trust's leadership brings expertise in infant mental health, philanthropy, and business management, with Chair Robin Balbernie's background in early years intervention strongly influencing the Trust's evidence-based approach to funding.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Application Process:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

• Submit Expression of Interest Application Form available on website
• Organisations encouraged to speak with the Trust to discuss suitable funding before applying

Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation only)

• Shortlisted organisations invited to submit full application
• Application assessment includes meetings and site visits to shortlisted applicants

Decision Timeline

The Trust operates funding rounds with specific deadlines. Recent timeline example:

• Expression of Interest Deadline: Early May
• Shortlist Notifications: Mid-June
• Full Application Deadline: Mid-July
• Final Grant Decisions: September
• First Grant Payment: December
• Programme Start: January following year

Total Timeline: Approximately 4 months from Expression of Interest deadline to final decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly disclosed by the Trust. However, the two-stage application process with initial Expression of Interest followed by invited full applications suggests a competitive process where only shortlisted organisations proceed to full application stage.

Reapplication Policy

The Board of Trustees approves all grants, and decisions are not subject to appeal. Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Prospective applicants should contact the Trust Manager to discuss eligibility and timing for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Evidence-Based Practice

Applicants must demonstrate that proposed activities have a strong evidence base grounded in research. This is fundamental to the Trust's approach and non-negotiable.

Validated Measurement Tools

PLCT grants will only be approved if there are clear indications of how before and after outcomes will be measured. Organisations must use validated measurement tools for outcomes - generic monitoring is insufficient.

Rigorous Evaluation Processes

Beyond measurement, applicants need rigorous processes in place to evaluate their activities. The Trust values accountability and demonstrable impact.

Partnership and Engagement

Applicants must demonstrate how they will engage with:

• Families (service users)
• Other service providers (e.g., children's centres)
• Community organisations

The Trust actively encourages partnership bids and helps potential applicants find like-minded organisations for joint proposals.

Organisational Due Diligence

The Trust scrutinises the structure, governance, and management of grant applicants, including:

• Internal policies and procedures
• Investment and reserves management
• Risk management
• Comprehensive safeguarding policies (mandatory)

Geographic Targeting

While all Gloucestershire is eligible, the Trust particularly encourages applications for services in priority areas: Forest of Dean, North Cotswolds, and areas surrounding Berkeley (including Cam and Dursley).

Quarterly Monitoring Commitment

Successful applicants must commit to quarterly monitoring returns and site visits. Extensions beyond initial grant periods are reviewed in the final year, so consistent monitoring compliance is critical.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Evidence is Everything: Your application must demonstrate a strong evidence base for your approach - cite research, proven models, and validated measurement tools
• Be Specific About Outcomes: Vague goals won't succeed; show exactly how you'll measure impact before and after intervention using recognised tools
• Consider Partnership: The Trust encourages and facilitates partnership bids - consider whether a collaborative approach could strengthen your application
• Target Priority Geography: If delivering services in Forest of Dean, North Cotswolds, or Berkeley areas, emphasise this as the Trust has identified these as priority locations
• Contact Before Applying: The Trust encourages pre-application discussion to determine suitable funding levels and fit - use this opportunity to build relationship and clarify expectations
• Demonstrate Organisational Readiness: Ensure your safeguarding policies, governance structures, and risk management are exemplary before applying
• Show Family Engagement: Demonstrate how families will be genuinely engaged as partners in the work, not just recipients of services

References

1. Peter Lang Children's Trust official website - How to Apply page. https://plct.org.uk/how-to-apply/
2. Peter Lang Children's Trust - Our Trustees and Staff. https://plct.org.uk/about/our-trustees/
3. Peter Lang Children's Trust - How Do We Help page. https://plct.org.uk/how-do-we-help/
4. Peter Lang Children's Trust - Application Forms and Relevant Documents. https://plct.org.uk/how-to-apply/application-forms-and-relevant-documents/
5. Charity Commission Register - Peter Lang Children's Trust (1121344). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4035020/full-print
6. Home-Start Stroud District Annual Report 2017-18 (mentioning PLCT funding). https://homestartsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Annual-Report-2017-18.pdf
7. The Family Haven - Our Supporters page (listing PLCT). https://www.thefamilyhaven.com/whats-on-offer/our-supporters/
8. Churchill Fellowship - Robin Balbernie Fellow Profile. https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/fellows-directory/robin-balbernie/