St Pancras Welfare Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Expenditure: £192,889
• Application Volume: ~500 applications annually
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (urgent cases by chair's action)
• Geographic Focus: Former Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras (Camden, London)
• Charity Number: 261261

Contact Details

• Website: www.spwt.info
• Email: spwtrust@gmail.com / thesecretary@spwt.org.uk
• Phone: 07973830060 / 020 7267 8428
• Address: 210-214 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1BD

Overview

The St Pancras Welfare Trust was registered as a charity on 15 June 1971. With an annual expenditure of £192,889 and income of £115,353, the Trust serves one of London's most diverse areas. The organization focuses on relieving persons resident in the former Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress through direct grant-making. The Trust operates through two distinct streams: individual welfare grants distributed through referral agencies, and project grants to Community Associations and Schools. With approximately 500 applications received annually from referral agencies on behalf of clients, the majority of applications are supported, demonstrating a high success rate for eligible applicants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Welfare Grants

• Small grants in cash or vouchers for essential items
• Typical support: furniture, bedding, clothes
• Distributed through referral agencies (social workers, voluntary organizations)
• Most applications supported

Project Grants

• Available to Community Associations and Schools
• Must benefit residents within the former Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras catchment area
• Amount not publicly specified

Priority Areas

• Relief of poverty: Essential household items for individuals and families in hardship
• Advancement of health: Supporting health and wellbeing needs
• Priority beneficiaries:
• Children and young people (including young mothers)
• Elderly and frail persons
• People with disabilities
• Individuals requiring respite support

Geographic Restriction

Strict catchment area: Beneficiaries must live within the boundary of the former Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras. This historic borough, abolished in 1965, now forms part of the London Borough of Camden and includes areas such as:

• St Pancras
• Kings Cross
• Camden Town
• Kentish Town
• Somers Town
• Euston
• Tottenham Court Road
• Part of Regent's Park

The area extends approximately four miles north-south, from the boundaries with Finchley and Hornsey in the north to just north of Oxford Street in the south.

Ready to write a winning application for St Pancras Welfare Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Join the Launch List

Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by 10 trustees who oversee the grant-making activities and policies including conflict of interest management, financial reserves, and risk management.

Current Trustees include:

• Charlotte Maizels (Chair)
• Clare House
• David Goldesgeyme
• Daniel Carrier
• Jenny Headlam-Wells

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Welfare Grants:

Applications cannot be made directly by individuals. The Trust operates exclusively through a referral system:

1. Applicants must work through a sponsoring agency (social worker, Citizens Advice Bureau, or voluntary organization)
2. The sponsoring agency completes an application form on behalf of the client
3. A letter of support from the sponsoring agency must accompany the application
4. The application form should be signed by the applicant

To obtain an application form, referral agencies should contact the Trust via email or phone.

For Project Grants (Community Associations and Schools):

Contact the Trust directly to discuss project proposals.

Decision Timeline

• Regular meetings: Applications are considered quarterly
• Urgent cases: Chair's action can be taken between meetings for time-sensitive situations
• Notification methods not publicly specified

Success Rates

Approximately 500 applications are received annually from referral agencies, with the majority being supported. This suggests a high success rate for eligible applicants who meet the geographic and need criteria.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Contact the Trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Work through established referral agencies: The Trust does not accept direct applications from individuals. Building relationships with social workers, Citizens Advice Bureau, or recognized voluntary organizations in Camden is essential.

Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Applicants must live within the specific boundaries of the former Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras. This is approximately half of the modern London Borough of Camden.

Focus on essential needs: The Trust prioritizes basic necessities - furniture, bedding, clothes - rather than luxury or non-essential items.

Demonstrate genuine hardship: Applications should clearly articulate the conditions of need, hardship or distress being experienced.

Strong support letters matter: The letter of support from the sponsoring agency is a critical component of the application. These should provide context and evidence of the applicant's situation.

Consider timing: While urgent cases can be handled via chair's action, understanding the quarterly meeting schedule may help with planning.

Project grants require strategic alignment: For Community Associations and Schools seeking project grants, ensure the project clearly benefits residents within the catchment area and aligns with the Trust's objectives of relieving need and advancing health.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Referral-only system: You cannot apply directly - you must work through social workers or established voluntary organizations in Camden
• Strict geographic boundary: Only residents of the former Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras (parts of Camden) are eligible - verify addresses carefully
• High success rate: Most of the ~500 annual applications are supported, indicating good prospects for eligible, well-prepared applications
• Small, practical grants: Focus is on essential items (furniture, bedding, clothes) rather than large project funding for individuals
• Dual grant streams: Individual welfare grants operate separately from project grants to community organizations and schools
• Urgent cases accommodated: Chair's action between quarterly meetings means time-sensitive needs can be addressed more quickly
• Financial capacity: With annual expenditure of nearly £193,000, the Trust has significant resources relative to application volume

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Hornsey Parochial Charities
• ST PANCRAS CHURCH LANDS TRUST
• THE HAMPSTEAD WELLS AND CAMPDEN TRUST
• Paddington Charitable Estates Educational Fund
• Strand Parishes Trust
• South Hackney Parochial Charity
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY
• Camden Giving
• West Hackney Parochial Charity
• The Old Enfield Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register - ST PANCRAS WELFARE TRUST (Charity 261261): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/261261/full-print
• Camden Council Cindex - St Pancras Welfare Trust: https://cindex.camden.gov.uk/kb5/camden/cd/service.page?id=6mtwlPTOXEs
• Age UK Camden Directory: http://directory.ageukcamden.org.uk/pages/organisations?oid=9363
• Wikipedia - Metropolitan Borough of St Pancras: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Borough_of_St_Pancras