Robert Stephenson's Charities

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £81,454
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: South Westmorland area (Kendal, Kirkby Kendal, Kirkland, Grayrigg, Selside, Whitwell and adjacent parts of North Yorkshire)

Contact Details

Phone: 01539 722592

Address: GSC Grays, Unit 9 Underley Business Centre, Kearstwick, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

Charity Number: 230795

Overview

Robert Stephenson's Charities was established in the early 18th century by Robert Stephenson, a Catholic landowner who created various charitable trusts that were later amalgamated. The charity was formally constituted by indenture on 18 March 1718, with a scheme dated 30 June 1863. With an annual expenditure of approximately £229,246 and charitable donations of £81,454, the trust continues to deliver against the objectives of the original Robert Stephenson charities. The charity operates within a strictly defined geographic area centered around Dodding Green in South Westmorland. The trust owns property including the former Highgate Hotel in Kendal, which it leases to The Well Communities for supporting former prisoners with addiction recovery.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates under three main charitable objects established in the 18th century:

1. Maintenance of Priests: Support for Catholic clergy within the specified area
2. Relief of Poverty: Assistance for poor and indigent persons in the townships of Kirkby Kendal and Kirkland
3. Education: Support for the education of both Catholic and Protestant children within the trust deed area

The charity also provides property support, notably renting the former Highgate Hotel in Kendal to The Well Communities to provide accommodation for former prisoners and support those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

Priority Areas

• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Religious activities supporting the Catholic faith
• General charitable purposes within the defined geographic area
• Support for children and young people
• Support for elderly people
• Support for people with disabilities

Geographic Restrictions

The area of benefit is strictly defined in the Trust Deed and centers around Dodding Green, including: Grayrigg, Kendal, Kirkby Kendal, Kirkland, Selside, Whitwell and adjacent parts of North Yorkshire.

What They Don't Fund

Applications from outside the specified geographic area are not considered. All applications for support are evaluated against the charity's historic objectives and the specified area.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by three trustees who receive no remuneration, payments or benefits:

1. Simon Francis Riddell (Chair)
2. Belinda Elizabeth Hornyold-Strickland
3. Rev Pollock Hugh

The presence of a Reverend on the board reflects the charity's continuing commitment to its founding Catholic mission.

Policies

The charity maintains:

• Complaints handling procedures
• Conflict of interest management
• Financial controls
• Risk management
• Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries policies

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The charity does not appear to have a publicly advertised application process or website. Applications are managed through GSC Grays, rural property specialists who act as administrators for the trust.

To apply, contact:

• Phone: 01539 722592
• Address: GSC Grays, Unit 9 Underley Business Centre, Kearstwick, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

All applications for support are considered by the trustees against the charity's historic objectives and the geographic area specified in the Trust Deed.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available. Interested applicants should contact GSC Grays for information about trustee meeting schedules and decision timeframes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Contact GSC Grays for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's constitutional documents and activities:

1. Geographic Eligibility is Essential: The trust can only support beneficiaries within the strictly defined area. Ensure your organization or beneficiaries are located within Kendal, Kirkby Kendal, Kirkland, Grayrigg, Selside, Whitwell or adjacent parts of North Yorkshire.

• Relief of poverty and hardship
• Catholic clergy or faith activities
• Education of children in the area

• Poor and indigent persons
• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• Former prisoners and those recovering from addiction

1. Long-term Relationships: The charity's lease of the Highgate Hotel to The Well Communities suggests they value sustained partnerships with organizations delivering direct services to vulnerable populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Historic Trust with Defined Parameters: This is an 18th-century charitable trust operating under strict geographic and purpose limitations - applications must fit within these boundaries
• No Public Application Portal: Contact must be made through the administrators (GSC Grays) by phone or post
• Small Local Focus: With £81,454 in annual donations, this is a relatively small local grant-maker focused on South Westmorland
• Triple Mission: Remember the three founding purposes - support for Catholic clergy, poverty relief, and education
• Property-Based Support: The charity also supports organizations through property arrangements, not just cash grants
• Vulnerable Populations: Recent activity shows commitment to supporting marginalized groups including former prisoners and those with addiction issues
• Limited Public Information: Due to minimal online presence, direct contact with administrators is essential to understand current priorities and application requirements

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - Robert Stephenson's Charities (230795): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/230795/full-print
• Charity Commission Annual Report for R Stephenson Charities for year ended 5 April 2025
• In Cumbria (2021), “Highgate Hotel in Kendal to be used by The Well Communities to aid addiction recovery”: https://www.in-cumbria.com/news/19234133.highgate-hotel-kendal-used-well-communities-aid-addiction-recovery/
• Taking Stock - Catholic Churches of England and Wales, “Dodding Green St Robert and St Alice”: https://taking-stock.org.uk/building/dodding-green-st-robert-and-st-alice/