Rainy Day Trust

Quick Stats

• Founded: 1843 (180+ years of service)
• Annual Income: £250,134 (2024)
• Grant Range: £35 - £1,200+ (depending on need)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Beneficiaries Helped: 5,100+ people over the last seven years
• Unclaimed Benefits Identified: Average of £1 million per year
• Application Method: Rolling basis, phone or online application

Contact Details

• Website: www.rainydaytrust.org.uk
• Phone: 0800 915 4627 (helpline open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
• Email: info@rainydaytrust.org.uk
• Address: Contact via phone or website for details

Overview

Founded in 1843, the Rainy Day Trust is the UK's only charity dedicated exclusively to supporting the home improvement and enhancement industry workforce and their families in times of need. With over 180 years of service, the charity has evolved from solely providing one-off grants to offering comprehensive support including financial assistance, legal advice, housing support, debt counselling, telephone counselling, and e-learning programmes. The Trust operates on the principle of providing “a leg up, not a hand out,” assessing each applicant individually and tailoring help to their specific needs. In recent years, demand has tripled from historic levels, with the charity facing significant pressure between rising need and falling income. The Trust is governed by 13 trustees from across the home improvement sector, with no trustee receiving remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Rainy Day Trust offers flexible financial support rather than fixed grant programmes:

One-Off Grants: For immediate needs such as:

• £80 for a child's school uniform
• £120 for a new fridge
• £300 for a new washing machine
• £460 for a new laptop and MS Office for an apprentice
• Support for household repairs, essential appliances, and mobility equipment

Regular Financial Support: Up to £100 per month paid directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts

Winter Fuel Package: £250 paid directly to energy suppliers, plus boiler and heating system service and corrosion inhibitor installation (can reduce heating bills by 10-15%)

Support Services (with associated costs):

• £35 for five telephone counselling sessions
• £50 for an hour's legal advice
• £1,200 annual license for welfare benefits checker
• Free legal, housing, and debt advice
• E-learning programmes for training and qualifications

Application Method: Rolling basis - applications accepted and processed year-round

Priority Areas

The Trust supports people facing financial hardship due to:

• Redundancy or job loss
• Illness or disability
• Bereavement
• Utility arrears
• Essential household repairs
• MOT costs for vehicles
• Training and apprenticeship needs
• Fuel poverty
• General cost of living difficulties

Eligibility Requirements

Work History:

• Must have worked in the home improvement industry for at least 1 year
• Either applicant or their partner qualifies if they have worked for one company in the sector
• Eligible industries include: DIY retailers, builders' merchants, hardware stores, housewares, garden centres, brushware, pottery, glass, ironmongery, and related trades
• Includes manufacturers, distributors, and retailers
• Apprentices entering the home improvement industry are also eligible

Financial Requirements:

• Household income should be below approximately £20,000 per year, OR on means-tested state benefits, OR solely on state pension/small occupational pension
• Must have savings under £10,000
• The Trust conducts an income vs. expenditure calculation rather than applying a rigid monetary threshold

Note: The Trust emphasizes that residential/domestic home improvement work qualifies, not commercial properties or infrastructure.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly listed, but the Trust focuses exclusively on:

• Individuals and families (not organizations)
• Those with a connection to the home improvement industry
• Those meeting the financial criteria outlined above

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Anna Skeats (appointed following Bryan Clover's retirement in 2024)

• Brings sector expertise and personal understanding of barriers people face
• Selected for her understanding of the unique challenges facing people in home improvement, DIY, trades, housewares, garden centres, and construction industries

Former CEO: Bryan Clover (served for nearly a decade)

• During his tenure, helped over 5,100 people and identified an average of £1 million in unclaimed benefits annually
• Described his time as “an incredible journey” and made many friends across the sector

Board of Trustees

Chairman: Richard Campbell-Drew (Akzo Nobel)

Vice-Chairman: David Hibbert

Treasurer: Trevor Mudd

Trustees:

• Avril Hicks (Holbury Hardware)
• Aaron Frogley (SIG plc)
• Andrew Field (Burg-Wachter)
• Rob Willis (Director at Max Publishing)
• Seema Grantham (BHETA)
• Fiona Garcia (DIY Week - Datateam)
• David Crawford (Toolbank)
• Paul Boyce (QEP)
• Kerrie Kincade (National Buying Group)

The 13 trustees are all volunteers from across the home improvement sector who work tirelessly to ensure support is available for those in need. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Key Quotes from Leadership

Richard Campbell-Drew (Chairman) on Anna Skeats' appointment:

"Anna's sector expertise makes her perfectly positioned to understand the unique challenges facing people in our home improvement, DIY, trades, housewares, garden centres, and construction industries. Those are the very people The Rainy Day Trust exists to support when they fall on hard times."

“Anna brings genuine understanding of the barriers people face and the importance of accessible, practical support.”

"Bryan's dedication and leadership have been instrumental over the past decade bringing The Rainy Day Trust to where it is today, and we're grateful for his years of service. We're excited for Anna to take the baton and lead us into our next chapter of growth and impact."

Bryan Clover on his retirement:

"This has been my first CEO role. It's been an incredible journey and I've made many great friends along the way."

"I may be stepping down, but I'll be watching from afar. Some of you might be relieved to see the back of me—and my endless emails!"

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Rainy Day Trust accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. The application process is designed to be quick and simple:

Application Methods:

1. Phone Application: Call the helpline on 0800 915 4627 (open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) and ask for Grants and Financial Support. Staff can help you complete the application over the phone or arrange a callback.

1. Online Application: Download the application form from www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/get-help/apply-for-help/ and submit it electronically.

1. Request a Callback: Enter your name and telephone number on the website and they will call you back as soon as possible.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the quick and simple application form
• Provide information about your work history in the home improvement sector
• Detail your current financial situation (income, expenditure, savings)
• Explain your specific need or circumstances

Decision Timeline

• Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis by a Case Committee comprising Rainy Day Trust Trustees
• The Trust aims to review cases as quickly as possible (ASAP)
• Each applicant is assessed individually, with help tailored to their specific needs
• Specific decision timeframes (e.g., days or weeks) are not publicly stated, but the emphasis is on rapid response to urgent needs

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However:

• The charity helped over 5,100 people during a seven-year period
• Demand has tripled from historic levels in recent years
• The Trust operates on a needs-based assessment model rather than competitive selection
• Focus is on supporting all eligible applicants who meet the criteria

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Given the needs-based assessment approach and the Trust's commitment to supporting people when they need it, applicants whose circumstances change may be able to reapply. Contact the charity directly at 0800 915 4627 or info@rainydaytrust.org.uk for clarification on individual situations.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented approach and examples of support provided, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Clear Eligibility:

• Proven work history of at least 1 year in the home improvement sector
• Low household income (generally under £20,000/year or on benefits)
• Savings under £10,000

2. Specific, Practical Needs:

The Trust responds well to concrete requests for help with:

• Essential household items (cookers, fridges, washing machines)
• Heating and energy costs
• MOT and vehicle maintenance for work
• Training and apprenticeship support
• School uniforms and children's needs
• Home adaptations for accessibility

3. Examples of Support Provided:

• Ann: After 19 years in the ceramics industry, received funds for garden access improvements (wall and steps)
• Kevin: During recovery from illness and phased return to work, received grant support
• Mylene: When her cooker broke down just before Christmas, the Trust helped replace it
• Recent case: A widower received comprehensive support including white goods, school uniforms, debt advice, and bereavement counselling

4. Openness to Holistic Support:

The Trust often provides more than just financial grants. Successful applicants may receive:

• Legal advice through Legal Express service
• Housing advice through partnership with Shelter
• Debt counselling
• Telephone counselling services
• Benefits checker access (identifying unclaimed benefits)
• E-learning opportunities

5. Honest Financial Assessment:

The Trust conducts income vs. expenditure calculations to understand genuine need. Being transparent about your financial situation, including income sources, outgoings, and savings, helps the committee make informed decisions.

6. Trust Philosophy Alignment:

The charity describes its approach as “a leg up, not a hand out” - they want to help people through difficult times and return to independence. Applications that show how the support will help stabilize the situation or enable recovery/return to work align with this philosophy.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Industry-specific charity: This is the UK's only charity exclusively for the home improvement workforce - applicants MUST have worked at least 1 year in eligible sectors (DIY, builders' merchants, hardware, housewares, garden centres, pottery, glass, or related trades)

• Needs-based, not competitive: The Trust assesses each case individually based on genuine need rather than competing applications against each other - focus on clearly explaining your specific circumstances and needs

• Multiple support options: Don't think only about one-off grants - the Trust can provide monthly support (up to £100), energy packages, legal advice, counselling, and e-learning opportunities. Consider what combination of support would most help your situation.

• Quick, accessible process: Applications are described as “quick and simple” with the Trust aiming to process cases ASAP. Don't be deterred by bureaucracy - a phone call to 0800 915 4627 can start the process.

• Financial threshold clarity: While income should generally be under £20,000/year and savings under £10,000, the Trust uses an income vs. expenditure calculation rather than rigid cutoffs - explain your full financial picture including essential costs

• Demand is high: The charity is experiencing triple historic demand levels with falling income - while this shows high need in the sector, it also means every application must clearly demonstrate eligibility and genuine need

• Comprehensive help available: The Trust identified an average of £1 million in unclaimed benefits annually for applicants - be open to discussing wider financial support including benefits you may be entitled to claim

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• THE TRUEMARK TRUST
• IAH CHARITY COMPANY LIMITED
• Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust
• The League of the Helping Hand
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• The Lewin Trust
• The Thomas Wall Trust
• The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
• Smallwood Trust
• Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation

References

1. Rainy Day Trust official website - https://www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/
2. Rainy Day Trust - Apply for Help page - https://www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/get-help/apply-for-help/
3. Rainy Day Trust - FAQs - https://www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/get-help/faqs/
4. Rainy Day Trust - Grants and Financial Support - https://www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/get-help/help-information/grants-and-financial-support/
5. Rainy Day Trust - Trustees & Staff - https://www.rainydaytrust.org.uk/what-we-do/trustees-staff/
6. UK Charity Commission - Rainy Day Trust (1170878) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5092635
7. Turn2us - Grants Spotlight: Rainy Day Trust - https://www.turn2us.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/latest-news/grants-spotlight-rainy-day-trust
8. Professional Builders Merchant - “Rainy Day Trust celebrates 180 year anniversary” - https://professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk/news/rainy-day-trust-celebrates-180-year-anniversary/
9. Builders Merchants Journal - “Rainy Day Trust appoints new CEO” (2024) - https://buildersmerchantsjournal.net/rainy-day-trust-appoints-new-ceo/
10. Builders Merchants Journal - “Rainy Day Trust CEO to step down after a decade of service” - https://buildersmerchantsjournal.net/rainy-day-trust-ceo-to-step-down-after-a-decade-of-service/
11. Housewares News - “The Rainy Day Trust outlines 2024 plans and how you can help” (2024) - https://www.housewaresnews.net/the-rainy-day-trust-outlines-2024-plans-and-how-you-can-help/