Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 211980
• Founded: 1905 (consolidating bequests dating to circa 1600)
• Geographic Focus: Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe (Rotherhithe, Canada Water, Surrey Quays)
• Grant Types: Community grants, stipends, hardship grants
• Individual Stipend: £250 annual
• Application Method: Online portal (Flexi-Grant) following pre-application discussion

Contact Details

Address: c/o Southwark Charities, 42 St. Mary Newington Close, Surrey Square, London, SE17 2LP

Website: www.rotherhithecc.co.uk

Phone: 020 7593 2000 (general) / 020 7593 2004 (grants enquiries)

Email: clerk@rotherhithecc.org.uk

Pre-Application Support: Applicants must contact Matthew Allgood (Clerk to Trustees) to discuss proposals before applying

Overview

Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities was established in 1905, consolidating numerous historic bequests for parishioners in need dating back to around 1600. The charity exists exclusively to benefit residents living in the Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe in the London Borough of Southwark who are in need. In 2022, the charity commissioned an independent review by Dr. Alex Evans which highlighted significant local deprivation. This led to a modernization of grant priorities, processes, and criteria, with new priorities publicly launched in March 2023 at the Lake Gallery, Southwark Park. Since July 2022, day-to-day operations have been managed by Southwark Charities. The charity maintains a long tradition of supporting local residents through financial assistance and community development, adapting its approach to meet contemporary needs while preserving its historic mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants to Organizations

• For constituted community groups, organizations, and charities
• Supports activities, services, events, and projects benefiting residents in need
• Grant amounts not publicly specified - contact clerk for discussion
• Application via Flexi-Grant online portal
• Pre-application discussion with clerk required

Stipends for Older People

• £250 annual stipend for general living expenses
• For individuals aged 66+ (state pension age)
• Must have lived in Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe for minimum 5 years
• Requires evidence of low income and low savings
• Not available to property owners or current St Olaves United Charity members

Referral Hardship Grants

• For adults experiencing financial hardship
• Funds essential replacement household items (beds, mattresses, cookers, washing machines, furniture)
• Maximum £150 management fee payable to referring organization if application succeeds
• Must be referred by recognized public or voluntary sector organization
• Individuals cannot apply directly
• Requires evidence of low income and no/low savings

Priority Areas

The charity is particularly interested in initiatives supporting:

• Low-income residents and families: Cost-of-living support, food, clothing provision, warm space provision
• Children and young people from low-income families: Free creative, recreational and sports activities, clubs, camps, workshops, skills development
• Older people experiencing isolation: Activities promoting social connection and wellbeing
• Community cohesion: Projects bringing residents together
• People with disabilities: Services and activities supporting disabled residents

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

• Bede House: Sailing activities for people with learning disabilities in partnership with Tideway Sailability
• Rose Court Care Home: Arts and gardening activities for care home residents
• Bizzie Bodies C.I.C.: Creative activities for children and young people from low-income families
• CESO: 'Eat Well to Stay Well' project providing healthy exercise and nutrition advice for older residents at Silverlock Tenants & Residents Hall
• London Bubble: Theatrical production performed by older adults performance group at sheltered housing venues

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

• Only funds residents/organizations serving the Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe (Rotherhithe ward, Surrey Docks ward, and small parts of North Bermondsey, South Bermondsey, and Old Kent Road wards)

Eligibility Restrictions:

• Stipends not available to property owners
• Stipends not available to current members of St Olaves United Charity
• Hardship grants only via referral from recognized organizations (no direct individual applications)
• All grants require evidence of need/low income

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Lorraine Zuleta - Chair (since 2020)

• Former Southwark Councillor (2002-2010)
• Trustee and member of Investments Committee since 2018
• Also serves as Nominative Trustee on St George the Martyr Charity (since 2021)
• Successfully led the refocusing of RCC's charitable grants programmes
• Drove modernization of application priorities, processes and criteria to make them more accessible
• Awarded Trustee of the Year at Southwark Stars Awards, May 2023

Stephanie Cryan - Vice Chair

Richard Livingstone - Treasurer

Fr Mark Nicholls - Ex-Officio Trustee

Total of 13 trustees serve on the board.

Key Staff

Matthew Allgood - Clerk to Trustees

• Also serves as Grants Manager at Southwark Charities
• Primary contact for grant enquiries and pre-application discussions

Key Leadership Quote

Regarding Lorraine Zuleta's Trustee of the Year award, the citation noted: "As Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities (RCC) Chair, Lorraine successfully led the refocusing of RCC's charitable grants programmes to benefit residents living in Rotherhithe. Lorraine drove the modernisation of its grants application priorities, processes and criteria and worked to make the application process more accessible."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Contact (Mandatory)

• Contact Matthew Allgood (Clerk to Trustees) to discuss your proposal
• Email: clerk@rotherhithecc.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7593 2004
• This discussion is required before submitting an online application

Step 2: Online Application

• Applications submitted via Flexi-Grant online portal: https://southwarkcharities.flexigrant.com/
• Portal works best using up-to-date, supported modern internet browser on PC or laptop
• Applicants must register on the portal before applying
• Download relevant guidelines before completing application

Support Available:

• Application support available for those unfamiliar with IT
• Contact the grants office for assistance

Different Routes by Grant Type:

• Community Grants: Discuss with clerk, then apply online
• Stipends for Older People: Apply directly (criteria-based)
• Hardship Grants: Referral only from recognized public/voluntary sector organizations

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated. Contact the Clerk for information about current processing times and trustee meeting schedules.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Clerk to discuss feedback and potential for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Application Discussion is Crucial:

The charity mandates pre-application contact with the Clerk for community grants. This is not optional. Use this conversation to:

• Ensure your project aligns with current priorities
• Understand what information trustees will need
• Get guidance on how to present your proposal effectively
• Clarify eligibility before investing time in a full application

Demonstrate Clear Local Benefit:

Given the charity's tight geographic focus, applications must clearly demonstrate benefit to residents of the Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe specifically. Generic proposals serving wider Southwark will not succeed. Name specific wards, postcodes, or local venues to establish your connection to the area.

Evidence of Need:

The 2022 independent review highlighted “significant local deprivation” and this drives the charity's current strategy. Successful applications demonstrate understanding of local need through:

• Data about the specific population you serve
• Evidence of financial hardship or low income among beneficiaries
• Clear explanation of how your project addresses deprivation

Align with Modernized Priorities:

The March 2023 priority refresh focused on cost-of-living support, children and young people from low-income families, older people experiencing isolation, community cohesion, and disability support. Frame your application to show clear alignment with these updated priorities.

Focus on Practical Support:

The charity's own examples emphasize tangible benefits - sailing activities, arts programmes, exercise and nutrition advice, theatrical performances. Applications for abstract or theoretical projects are less likely to succeed than those offering concrete activities and measurable outcomes.

Understand the Historic Context:

While the charity has modernized its processes, it maintains a 400-year tradition of supporting local residents. Demonstrating awareness of local history and the parish's character can strengthen applications, particularly for projects that build community identity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Mandatory pre-application discussion: Do not skip the required conversation with the Clerk - this is your opportunity to shape a strong application
• Hyper-local focus required: Only residents of the Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe benefit area are eligible - demonstrate specific local knowledge
• Recent modernization matters: The charity launched new priorities in March 2023 following an independent review; align closely with these updated focus areas
• Evidence of deprivation essential: The 2022 review highlighted significant local need - applications must demonstrate beneficiaries' financial hardship or low income
• Practical over theoretical: Funded projects like sailing, arts, nutrition advice show preference for tangible activities with clear outcomes
• Consider the hardship grant route: If working with individual residents in crisis, the referral hardship grant (via your organization as referring agency) offers a pathway to support with potential £150 management fee
• Long-term commitment valued: The charity's 400-year history suggests they value sustainable, embedded local work over one-off initiatives

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• ST OLAVE'S & ST SAVIOUR'S SCHOOLS FOUNDATION CIO
• Newcomen Collett Educational Foundation
• The Hornsey Parochial Charities
• THE HAMPSTEAD WELLS AND CAMPDEN TRUST
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY
• Hampton Fuel Allotment
• Strand Parishes Trust
• The Lee Education Charity of William Hatcliffe
• West Hackney Parochial Charity
• Charity of Richard Cloudesley

References

• Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities official website: www.rotherhithecc.co.uk
• Charity Commission Register, Charity No. 211980: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/211980
• Southwark Charities - Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities Grants page: https://www.southwarkcharities.co.uk/rotherhithe-consolidated-charities-grants/
• Community Southwark - Southwark Stars 2023 Award Winners: https://communitysouthwark.org/southwark-stars-2023-award-winners-and-champions/
• Ageing Well Southwark - Rotherhithe Consolidated Charities service information
• Flexi-Grant online application portal: https://southwarkcharities.flexigrant.com/