Social Workers' Benevolent Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £87,110 (2023/24)
• Success Rate: 92% (2020-21 data)
• Decision Time: 2 weeks after bi-monthly meeting
• Grant Range: £300 - £450
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Beneficiaries: Individual qualified social workers

Contact Details

Website: www.swbt.uk

Address:

Social Workers Benevolent Trust

c/o BASW, Wellesley House

37 Waterloo Street

Birmingham

B2 5PP

Email: info@swbt.org

Telephone: 07702 517 555 (BASW)

Application Support: Contact BASW on 07702 517 555 if you need help with the application process or experience any barriers

Overview

The Social Workers' Benevolent Trust (SWBT) was established in 1971 as an independent charity, bringing together the benevolent funds of agencies that amalgamated to form the British Association of Social Workers. It is the UK's only charity dedicated exclusively to helping social workers and their dependents during times of financial hardship. With total income of £111,100 and expenditure of £88,583 in 2023/24, SWBT distributed £87,110 in grants. The charity operates with 11 volunteer trustees, all current or retired social workers, and has no paid staff. In recent years, SWBT has faced increasing demand, receiving 381 applications in 2023/24, up from 174 in 2020/21. Due to limited resources and rising demand during the cost of living crisis, the charity reduced its maximum grant from £500 to £450 in 2022.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SWBT offers one-off emergency grants to qualified social workers experiencing financial hardship:

• Emergency Grants: £300 - £450 (current maximum)
• Application Method: Rolling basis with bi-monthly decision meetings
• Typical Grant: Around £300, with maximum of £450 awarded in exceptional circumstances
• Application Deadlines: Bi-monthly cut-off dates at midday (applications accepted on rolling basis)

Priority Areas

SWBT provides financial help to social workers facing hardship due to:

• Sickness or disability - reduced working hours or inability to work
• Bereavement - loss of family member affecting financial circumstances
• Family difficulties - unexpected family crises requiring financial support
• Sudden catastrophe - emergency situations creating immediate financial need
• Debt assistance - help with rent, utilities, and essential costs (75% of applications reference debts)
• Essential expenses - car repairs needed to return to work, essential household items

Recent data shows grants have supported social workers dealing with reduced work hours, disability, debt with rent and utilities, and essential expenses like car repairs needed to return to work.

What They Don't Fund

• Applications from individuals who received SWBT assistance within the last 12 months (reapplication restriction)
• Applicants without professional social work qualifications (except in very exceptional circumstances for those who worked as social workers before qualification was required)
• Social workers based outside the UK

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership:

• Chair: Priscilla Kurewa (joined Board of Trustees in 2010, takes Minutes of meetings)
• Treasurer: Simon Scott
• Secretary: Margaret Faulkner (retired trustee)

Notable Trustees:

• Su Roxburgh - Co-chair, served as trustee for 6+ years, currently Trustee Advisor. Quote: "We haven't said no yet, but we're very worried that we may well have to be tougher in all ways."
• Chris - Social worker and service manager working in local authority child protection
• Rupert - Qualified social worker for 20 years, continues to work with children and families
• Robert Pook - SWBT Trustee

All 11 trustees are current or retired social workers who serve voluntarily with no remuneration. They bring diverse professional experiences spanning child protection, mental health, and family services.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Read Application Guidance: Review the “Essential Notes for Applicants” document available on the SWBT website
2. Complete Application Form: Available in PDF and MS Word formats at www.swbt.uk
3. Optional Monitoring Form: Complete the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form
4. Submit Before Deadline: Applications must be received by midday on the cut-off date (bi-monthly deadlines)
5. Submission Methods: Email to info@swbt.org or post to Birmingham address

Important Application Timing: SWBT strongly prefers applications to be received well before the cut-off date to allow full consideration. Applications received after the cut-off move to the next bi-monthly meeting unless deemed urgent by the Chair in exceptional circumstances.

Accessibility Support: If you experience barriers with the application process or require help to complete your application, telephone BASW on 07702 517 555 for advice.

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Held bi-monthly (every two months), typically 6 meetings per year
• Meeting Schedule Pattern: Based on 2024 dates - early January, early March, early May, early July, early September, early November
• Initial Contact: Applications Secretary contacts applicant soon after the trustee meeting
• Written Confirmation: Letter sent via post approximately 2 weeks following the bi-monthly trustee meeting
• Total Timeline: Applications are typically decided at the next scheduled bi-monthly meeting, with written confirmation received within 2 weeks of that meeting

Success Rates

SWBT has maintained a very high success rate for applications:

• 2020-21: 160 grants approved from 174 applications = 92% success rate
• Application Volume Trends:
• 2018/19: 204 applications
• 2019/20: 196 applications
• 2020/21: 174 applications
• 2021/22: 246 applications
• 2023/24: 381 applications

The dramatic increase in applications in recent years reflects growing financial pressures on social workers, particularly during and after the cost of living crisis.

Reapplication Policy

Applicants will not normally be considered for a grant if they have received help from the Trust within the last 12 months.

This 12-month restriction ensures that limited funds can support the widest possible number of social workers in need.

Application Success Factors

Based on SWBT's documented guidance and trustee statements, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Financial Hardship: Applications should demonstrate genuine financial difficulty and specific needs. 75% of applications reference debts, showing the trust regularly supports social workers dealing with financial obligations.

1. Timely Application: SWBT trustee Su Roxburgh notes: “The trust has noticed that many applicants leave it until their debts have built up so much that it is hard to see a way forwards, and urges anyone struggling to seek help at the earliest.” Apply as soon as you recognize financial difficulties rather than waiting until the situation becomes severe.

• Debt with rent and utilities (Barbara's case - received maximum amount)
• Car repairs needed to return to work
• Essential household items
• Costs directly related to the hardship circumstances

1. Professional Qualification: Hold a professional UK social work qualification. Applications from non-qualified individuals are only considered “rarely, and in very exceptional circumstances” based on nature and length of employment in a social work role before qualification was required.

1. Complete Application: Read the Essential Notes carefully and submit a complete application form well before the cut-off date. Incomplete forms may be rejected.

1. Realistic Expectations: With the maximum grant reduced to £450 and typical grants around £300, applications should request amounts that reflect the charity's limited resources. The trust aims to make grants that will make “a tangible difference” within these constraints.

1. First-Time or Repeat Applicants: Be aware of the 12-month reapplication restriction. If you've received help from SWBT within the last year, your application will not normally be considered.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: SWBT provides grants to individual social workers, not organizations. This overview is provided for social workers seeking personal financial assistance.

• Exceptional success rate: With 92% of applications approved in 2020-21, most social workers in genuine need receive support
• Apply early: Don't wait until debts become overwhelming - trustees specifically encourage early applications
• Bi-monthly decisions: Plan around the 6 annual meeting dates, with midday cut-off deadlines every two months
• Small but meaningful grants: Expect £300-£450, not large sums - these are emergency grants to provide tangible help
• 12-month wait between grants: Can only receive assistance once per year, so time your application for maximum impact
• Complete applications preferred: Submit well before the deadline with all required information to ensure full consideration
• Very limited funds: As co-chair Su Roxburgh noted, the charity operates with “very limited funds” and faces increasing demand, so the need must be genuine and immediate
• Alternative support available: If SWBT cannot help or you need additional assistance, their website lists other potential sources of financial aid for social workers

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Heinz, Anna and Carol Kroch Foundation
• The League of the Helping Hand
• The Talisman Charitable Trust
• Rainy Day Trust
• THE COSARAF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• The British Airline Pilots Association Benevolent Fund
• Housing the Homeless Central Fund
• St. John's Foundation Est. 1174
• Edith Cavell Fund for Nurses (Cavell)
• Strand Parishes Trust

References

1. Social Workers' Benevolent Trust Official Website - www.swbt.uk
2. “How to Apply” - SWBT, https://www.swbt.uk/how-to-apply/
3. “About SWBT” - SWBT, https://www.swbt.uk/about-swbt/
4. Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 262889, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/262889
5. “Charity for social workers in need struggling to meet demand as cost of living crisis bites” - Community Care, September 8, 2022, https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2022/09/08/social-workers-benevolent-trust-demand-struggles-cost-of-living/
6. "Social Workers' Benevolent Trust" - Social Workers' Educational Trust, https://socialworkerseducationaltrust.org.uk/social-workers-benevolent-trust/
7. “Trustee Meetings for 2024” - SWBT, https://www.swbt.uk/2024/04/trustee-meetings-for-2024/
8. “Financial Support Hub” - BASW, https://basw.co.uk/support/financial-support-hub
9. Social Workers Benevolent Trust Annual Report 2023/24 - Charity Commission