Shropshire Youth Support Trust
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £356,283 total income (2024); grant funding provided via ASYSTOR Panel Fund
- Grant Range: £250 - £5,000 (ASYSTOR Panel Fund)
- Geographic Focus: Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and West Midlands
- Beneficiary Age Range: 16-30 years old
Contact Details
- Website: www.systbusiness.co.uk
- Email: hello@systbusiness.co.uk
- Phone: 01952 299214
- Address: Unit 14 Central Square, Town Centre, Telford, TF3 4JL
- Facebook: facebook.com/systbusiness
Overview
Shropshire Youth Support Trust (SYST) is a registered charity (1165108) established in 2015, dedicated to empowering young people aged 16-30 across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and the West Midlands who are not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET). Since their founding, they have supported over 3,000 young people and helped over 250 entrepreneurs start their own businesses through their ASYSTED support programme.
The charity operates a unique model combining business incubation, mentoring, subsidised workspace, and direct grant funding. Their beneficiaries often face multiple and complex barriers to employment, including experience as ex-offenders, homelessness, substance misuse, young carers, and those with conditions such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Condition, anxiety, depression, and long-term physical health conditions.
The charity receives funding from government contracts (£50,490), government grants (£98,190), and grants from organisations such as NCS (over £130,000 for community programmes) and the Wynn Foundation.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programmes
ASYSTOR Panel Fund: £250 - £5,000
The ASYSTORS are a group of locally-based Shropshire companies that provide funding and mentoring to young people. This "friendly Dragon's Den style" panel assesses pitches from young entrepreneurs who are already engaged with SYST's programmes. Each ASYSTOR makes a charitable donation where 100% of funds are allocated to support aspiring young businesses.
Founding ASYSTOR companies include:
- Brewin Dolphin
- Morris & Company
- Marches Care Homes
- Dyke Yaxley
- Wynn Developments
ASYSTED Programme Support
A 2-year bespoke support programme including:
- 1-2-1 guidance, coaching and mentoring
- Wellbeing and mindset support
- Business start-up workshop modules
- Templates and guides
- Access to subsidised business space
- Access to grant funding via ASYSTOR Panel
YouTHrive Shropshire Programme (2025)
A comprehensive new programme combining business start-up support, employability coaching, mental health resources, training workshops, and mentoring.
Priority Areas
- Young people aged 16-30 not in education, employment, or training
- Business start-ups and self-employment
- Employability skills development
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Financial independence
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals outside the 16-30 age range (though some programmes extended eligibility during COVID-19)
- Beneficiaries outside Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and the West Midlands
- Direct cash grants to applicants (subsidised accommodation and services are provided instead)
- Organisations seeking grants (this is a charity supporting individuals, not an organisational grant-maker)
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Governance and Leadership
Key Personnel
Richard Nuttall - CEO
- Also serves on the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board
- Champions good work through the Midlands Good Work Movement
- Co-leads a youth mental health initiative with Keele University
- Hosts the SYST podcast “Breaking Down Barriers”
Darren Duffy - Head of Charity
- Quote on YouTHrive: "YouTHrive Shropshire is a bold and transformative step forward – bringing together business start-up guidance, personal development, and mental health support into one powerful programme. It's all about giving young people the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to truly thrive."
Trustees (9 total)
| Name | Role | Appointed |
|------|------|-----------|
| Robert John Bowring Bland | Chair | May 2015 |
| Richard John Clowes | Trustee | May 2015 |
| Christopher Johnson | Trustee | January 2016 |
| Alison Jane Dixon | Trustee | June 2016 |
| Michael Anthony Keyes Paul | Trustee | June 2017 |
| Hugh Eugene Donal Strickland | Trustee | June 2020 |
| Jonathan Gidney | Trustee | January 2023 |
| John Fletcher | Trustee | December 2024 |
| Edward Stoddart | Trustee | December 2024 |
The charity also has approximately 20 volunteers supporting their work.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
ASYSTED Programme:
- Complete the application form on the SYST website
- If eligible, you will be invited to an initial meeting with a team member to discuss your business and support needs
- Support may include workshops, training, office space, and mentoring
ASYSTOR Panel Fund (£250-£5,000):
- First engage with SYST through their ASYSTED programme
- Multiple meetings with ASYSTORS representatives and mentorship
- Prepare and deliver a pitch presentation to the panel
- Panel determines which aspiring businesses receive funds
Contact Methods:
- Email: hello@systbusiness.co.uk
- Phone: 01952 299214
- Website form: systbusiness.co.uk/how-to-apply/
- Care Leaver Covenant contacts: Sarah Evans or Jason Fullwood
Eligibility Requirements
- Aged 16-30 years
- Based in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, or West Midlands
- Not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET), or recently affected by barriers to employment
- Have a business idea or have already started a business (for ASYSTOR funding)
Decision Timeline
The application process involves initial meetings and ongoing engagement with the programme before being eligible for ASYSTOR Panel funding. Timeline varies based on individual circumstances and business readiness.
Application Success Factors
What SYST Looks For
Based on successful grant recipients:
Demonstrated Progress: Applicants who have already taken significant steps to establish their business, such as Ice Eye Media who had been operating since March 2022 before receiving their £5,000 grant.
Engagement with the Programme: The ASYSTOR Panel Fund is available to young people “already thriving under the existing SYST scheme” - meaning applicants should first engage with the ASYSTED programme and demonstrate commitment.
Clear Business Plan: Successful applicants like Eliz (hairdresser who received just shy of £5,000) delivered “an impressive pitch” to the panel.
Specific Use of Funds: Ice Eye Media's successful application specified funding for filming equipment upgrades, legal fees, and business training.
Examples of Funded Projects
- Ice Eye Media: £5,000 for videography, photography, graphic design and animation business - used for equipment, legal fees, and training
- Eliz: Nearly £5,000 for hairdressing business following training support
- The High Carrot: Handmade jewellery business by Hanna
- Koru Films: Amy Hill's video production service for the third sector
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Individual focus: SYST provides grants to young people aged 16-30 for business start-ups, not to organisations. Grant writers supporting young entrepreneurs should consider this as a funding source.
- Programme engagement required: Access to the ASYSTOR Panel Fund (up to £5,000) requires prior engagement with the ASYSTED programme - applicants cannot simply apply for funding directly.
- Dragon's Den style process: Funding decisions are made through pitches to a panel of business people, so applicants need strong presentation skills and a clear business plan.
- Holistic support model: Beyond funding, SYST offers subsidised workspace, mentoring, workshops, and wellbeing support - applicants benefit from the full package.
- Geographic restriction: Only young people based in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and the West Midlands are eligible.
- NEET priority: The charity particularly supports those not in education, employment, or training, including those with complex barriers such as mental health conditions, care leavers, and ex-offenders.
- Relationship building: Success stories like Ice Eye Media show that multiple meetings and mentorship relationships precede funding decisions.
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References
- Charity Commission - Shropshire Youth Support Trust
- Charity Commission - Trustees
- Companies House - Officers
- Marches Growth Hub - SYST Start-Up Grant
- Shropshire Chamber - Grants Article
- My Shrewsbury - Ice Eye Media Grant Story
- Shropshire Live - YouTHrive Programme Launch
- Shropshire Directory
- Care Leaver Covenant
- Wynn Foundation - SYST Grant
Research conducted December 2025