The Cwmbran Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £120,673 (year ending 31 December 2023)
• Total Income: £120,585 (2023)
• Decision Time: Meets 5 times per year (urgent applications can be expedited)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (provides equipment, furniture, and materials)
• Geographic Focus: Cwmbran Town, postal district NP44, Torfaen, Wales
• Charity Number: 505855

Contact Details

Address: The Cwmbran Trust, C/o Meritor (HVBS) UK Ltd, Grange Road, Cwmbran NP44 3XU

Phone: 01633 834057 (available Mondays 9am-3pm)

Email: gifts@cwmbrantrust.co.uk

Website: www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk

Application Support: Email or phone for queries - “IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK”

Overview

The Cwmbran Trust was created in March 1998 from the former Girling (Cwmbran) Trust, which was originally established in December 1976. The charity operates exclusively to benefit the community of Cwmbran Town in the NP44 postal district. With annual grant-making expenditure of £120,673 (2023), the Trust provides one-off grants for equipment and materials to both individuals and organizations. The Trust focuses on advancing education, providing social amenities, and relieving poverty, distress, or sickness. Governed by seven trustees and supported by one volunteer, the Trust maintains a strong connection to the local community, operating from the Meritor factory site and serving as an invaluable resource for residents in crisis and organizations working to improve the Cwmbran area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates a single grant program with rolling applications reviewed at trustee meetings five times per year:

• Equipment and Materials Grants: One-off grants for equipment, furniture, and materials
• For Individuals: Household items (furniture, white goods, carpets, essential household equipment)
• For Organizations: Building works, equipment, educational resources, social amenities
• Application Method: Rolling basis via downloadable application form (email or post)
• Trustee Meetings: February, May, July, September, December
• Note: The Trust does NOT provide cash grants

Priority Areas

What They Actively Fund:

• School facilities and equipment (e.g., sensory gardens for special needs schools)
• Educational resources and materials

• Community centre improvements and building works
• Theatre and cultural facilities
• Community farm development
• Youth services equipment

• Essential household furnishings for individuals in crisis
• Equipment for people with disabilities
• Support for vulnerable groups

Who They Serve:

• Children and young people
• Elderly people
• People with disabilities
• People in poverty
• Vulnerable groups in the community

What They Don't Fund

• Cash grants - the Trust provides equipment and materials only
• University degree funding - explicitly excluded
• Ongoing financial support - only one-off grants provided
• Applications from outside NP44 postal district - except for current/former employees of Girling South Wales factories

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (7 trustees serving four-year terms)

1. Mark Poulton - Chair (appointed 15 July 2019)
2. Kenneth L Maddox - Trustee (appointed 12 March 1992) - longest-serving trustee
3. John Cunningham - Trustee (appointed 27 February 2017)
4. Fiona Cross Councillor - Trustee (appointed 27 February 2017)
5. Joanne Gauden - Trustee (appointed 10 September 2018)
6. Anthony Williams - Trustee (appointed 20 June 2022)
7. David John Bassett - Trustee

Governance Structure:

• Chairman appointed annually from co-opted trustees at first meeting of calendar year
• Trustees serve four-year terms and may offer themselves for further terms
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• Trust Deeds govern policies and procedures
• Policies in place for financial controls, risk management, and safeguarding

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Prepare Your Application

• Review the Application Process page and Frequently Asked Questions on the website
• Ensure you meet geographic eligibility (NP44 postal district or Girling factory connection)
• Confirm you've lived in NP44 for at least one year (individuals) or serve the NP44 area (organizations)

Step 2: Download Application Form

• Download the Word .docx application form from www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk/how-to-apply/

Step 3: Complete Form

• Fill in all required information
• Contact the Trust if you have any questions - they encourage applicants to ask

Step 4: Submit Application

• By Email: gifts@cwmbrantrust.co.uk
• By Post: The Cwmbran Trust, C/o Meritor (HVBS) UK Ltd, Grange Road, Cwmbran NP44 3XU

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: Five times per year

• February
• May
• July
• September
• December

Standard Applications: Reviewed at next scheduled trustee meeting

Urgent Applications: Can receive faster consideration outside the regular meeting schedule

Notification: Applicants are notified “soon after” trustee meetings

Typical Decision Time: Approximately 1-3 months depending on when application is received relative to next meeting

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, testimonials indicate that the Trust actively supports a wide range of community organizations and individuals in need within the Cwmbran area.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Given the Trust provides one-off grants rather than ongoing support, it appears organizations and individuals can apply for different projects/needs, but should clarify this with the Trust if planning to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Geographic Connection: Applicants must be firmly rooted in the NP44 postal district or have a connection to former Girling factories. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

1. Specific, Tangible Needs: The Trust funds equipment and materials, not cash or salaries. Successful applications for individuals have included “furnishings, three piece suite, table and chairs, fridge, freezer and utensils.” For organizations, major building works and equipment purchases have been funded.

1. Demonstrated Community Benefit: Projects like the Crownbridge School sensory garden show how funding benefits vulnerable community members - in this case, “students with severe additional learning needs now enjoy a therapeutic and stimulating outdoor area.”

1. Alignment with Three Core Purposes: Applications should clearly connect to advancement of education, provision of social amenities, or relief of poverty/distress/sickness.

1. One-Off Support Requirement: The Trust explicitly states it “does not give ongoing financial support,” so applications should be for discrete, one-time needs rather than recurring costs.

1. Vulnerable Group Focus: Projects supporting children, elderly people, people with disabilities, or “a very vulnerable group in the local community” align with the Trust's values.

1. Critical Timing: Greenmeadow Community Farm noted receiving assistance “at a critical time in its establishment,” suggesting the Trust responds well to organizations at pivotal moments.

1. Transformational Impact: One testimonial noted “The Grant they gave us which was for a major piece of building work helped us to transform the centre,” highlighting the Trust's interest in projects that create lasting change.

Trust Guidance: The Trust's own advice to applicants is simple but important: “IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK.” Contact them by phone or email with questions before applying.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is absolute: You must serve or live in the NP44 postal district (or have Girling factory connection). Don't apply if you don't meet this criterion.

• Equipment and materials only: Never request cash grants or ongoing funding. Frame your need in terms of specific equipment, furniture, or materials.

• Time your application strategically: With only five trustee meetings per year, submit well in advance of your need. Urgent cases can be expedited, but don't rely on this.

• Read the FAQ and Application Process pages thoroughly: The Trust specifically recommends this and emphasizes asking questions if uncertain.

• Be specific about what you need: Don't request a general grant amount - itemize the equipment or materials you need (e.g., “three piece suite, table and chairs, fridge, freezer”).

• Demonstrate community impact: Show how your project benefits vulnerable residents of Cwmbran, particularly in education, social amenities, or crisis relief.

• Confidentiality is guaranteed: The Trust states applications are “absolutely confidential” with no third-party information sharing, which may encourage applications from individuals in sensitive situations.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Southover Manor General Educational Trust Limited
• THE FARTHING TRUST
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Payback Time Trust
• The Prince Philip Trust Fund
• FOWLER SMITH AND JONES TRUST
• THE SIMON GIBSON CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Cole Charitable Trust
• The Watson Family Charitable Trust
• The Hotspur Trust

References

• The Cwmbran Trust official website: www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk (accessed 29 January 2025)
• How to Apply page: https://www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk/how-to-apply/ (accessed 29 January 2025)
• Application Process page: https://www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk/application-process/ (accessed 29 January 2025)
• About the Trust: https://www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk/about-the-trust/ (accessed 29 January 2025)
• Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.cwmbrantrust.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/ (accessed 29 January 2025)
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/505855 (accessed 29 January 2025)
• Charity Commission Trustee Information: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/505855/trustees (accessed 29 January 2025)
• Turn2us Grants Search profile: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-cwmbran-trust-14085 (accessed 29 January 2025)