The Get A-Head Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Available from Charity Commission filings
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Applications considered at quarterly trustee meetings
• Grant Range: £150 - £50,000+
• Geographic Focus: National (England & Wales)
• Application Method: Rolling applications, quarterly trustee meetings

Contact Details

Address: Room 23F, 4th Floor, Nuffield House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, B15 2WB

Website: www.getahead.org.uk

Email: info@getahead.org.uk

Phone: 0121 794 9596

Overview

The Get A-Head Charitable Trust was founded in 1994 by John Watkinson, Adrian Drake-Lee, Roy Castle, Hilary Jones, and Warwickshire Cricket Club players to support those suffering from head and neck diseases, particularly cancer. The charity was registered in 2007. Over its 30-year history, the charity has raised more than £10 million. Get A-Head operates through grant-making to fund life-changing equipment not available on the NHS, research into causes and treatments of head and neck conditions, continuing education for healthcare professionals, and complementary therapies for patients. The charity focuses exclusively on conditions affecting the head and neck, with a strategic approach that emphasises filling gaps in NHS provision and advancing medical understanding through research partnerships with universities and NHS trusts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Research Grants: Variable amounts (recent example: £24,089 for genetic sequencing research)

• Applications accepted year-round
• Research grants over £50,000 require peer review
• Focus on thyroid cancer, salivary gland cancers, and other head and neck conditions

Equipment Grants: Variable amounts

• For specialised medical equipment beyond NHS funding capacity
• Rolling applications considered at quarterly trustee meetings

Education & Training Grants: Typically £1,000-£5,000

• Two annual scholarships for doctors at West Midlands universities
• Funding for specialist courses at Royal Marsden and other institutions
• Conference attendance support (e.g., funded 10 places at BAHNON conference)

Patient Support Grants: £150-£37,000

• Cost of Living Fund: £150 per person grants
• Support for complementary therapies
• Funding for support organisation infrastructure (e.g., £24,000 in 2024 and £37,000 in 2025 to Swallows for Support Group Co-ordinator)

Priority Areas

What They Actively Fund:

• Life-changing equipment that cannot be funded by the NHS
• Research into head and neck disease mechanisms, particularly cancer
• Specialist research fellowships (thyroid cancer, salivary gland cancers)
• Healthcare professional education and training
• Complementary therapies to improve patient quality of life
• Support organisation infrastructure to expand patient services
• Patient Public Involvement (PPI) networks to raise awareness

Geographic Focus: While registered to operate nationally across England & Wales, the charity has strong connections to Birmingham and the West Midlands, particularly Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

• Projects already funded by the NHS
• Projects outside England & Wales
• Brain injury or brain disease research (despite the name, they focus specifically on head and neck, not brain)
• Individual living expenses or hardship payments
• Projects unrelated to head and neck disease

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Tom Bromwich (Chair) - Chartered surveyor with personal connection to thyroid cancer through his family, brings governance expertise and lived experience perspective. He is also a partner at Bromwich Hardy, a commercial real estate firm.

The charity has a board of trustees, though detailed current trustee information should be verified via the Charity Commission register.

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity.

Senior Staff

Danni Heath (Director) - Over 20 years of experience in charities and social enterprises, leads strategic direction. Heath works closely with partners to ensure patients and carers affected by head and neck cancer receive the treatment and support they need. She also serves as a director of the Head and Neck Cancer Coalition CIC.

Clare Gosling (Marketing) - Marketing and events professional working with Get A-Head on a long-term contract basis, supporting fundraising efforts and building the marketing function for the charity.

How to Apply to The Get A-head Charitable Trust

How to Apply

Application Method: Online application form via getahead.org.uk/grant-application/

Eligibility: Open to NHS Hospital Trusts and universities working on head and neck disease projects.

Application Requirements:

• Complete online multi-section form
• Specify grant amount requested
• Explain project purpose and patient benefits
• Demonstrate why NHS cannot fund the project
• Provide detailed budget breakdown
• Outline outcome measurement methods
• Include project timeframe
• Describe potential charity recognition opportunities

Required Documentation:

• Detailed project description
• Cost justification
• Patient impact assessment
• NHS funding confirmation (that project cannot be funded through NHS)

Applicants must refer to the Grant Applications Guidelines document when submitting forms, available on the charity's website.

Decision Timeline

Application Cycle: Rolling applications accepted year-round

Trustee Meetings: The charity holds quarterly trustee meetings throughout the year. Check the charity's website or contact them directly for current meeting dates.

Processing Timeline:

• Applications acknowledged within 3 weeks of receipt
• Applications must be submitted at least 1 month before trustee meeting to be considered at that meeting
• Applications submitted after cut-off are considered at the next quarterly meeting
• Decisions communicated within 2-3 weeks of trustee meeting
• Total timeline: Typically 6-12 weeks from submission to decision

Special Considerations:

• Research grants over £50,000 undergo peer review, which may extend timelines
• In certain circumstances, applications can be considered outside of scheduled trustee meetings (emergency or time-sensitive projects)

Notification Methods: Written notification of decision sent to applicants

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the charity actively makes grants across multiple categories, with recent grant awards ranging from £150 individual Cost of Living grants to £50,000+ research projects, suggesting they fund multiple projects annually at various scales.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated on the charity's website. Given the rolling application system and quarterly decision cycles, unsuccessful applicants should likely wait until the next funding round before reapplying, particularly if addressing feedback or strengthening their application. For specific guidance on reapplication, contact the charity directly at info@getahead.org.uk.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Funding Criteria

Critical Success Factor: Demonstrating clear benefit to head and neck disease patients where NHS funding is not available. The charity explicitly seeks to fill gaps in NHS provision, so applications must convincingly explain why the NHS cannot or will not fund the project.

Geographic Consideration: While the charity operates nationally, it has strong ties to Birmingham and the West Midlands. Projects connected to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham or West Midlands universities may have strategic alignment advantages.

Strong Applications Demonstrate:

Clear Patient Benefit: Successful projects show direct, measurable improvements to patient quality of life. The grants to Swallows, for example, funded a Support Group Co-ordinator role that directly expanded patient support services nationwide.

Research Excellence: Research applications should demonstrate scientific rigour and potential for meaningful advances in understanding or treating head and neck diseases. Applications over £50,000 undergo peer review, so research quality is paramount.

Value for Money: The charity carefully considers cost-effectiveness. Detailed, realistic budgets that demonstrate maximum impact per pound spent are essential.

Partnership Potential: The charity values ongoing relationships. The escalation from £24,000 to £37,000 grants to Swallows demonstrates their willingness to deepen partnerships with effective organisations.

Complementing NHS Services: Projects that enhance rather than duplicate NHS provision are favoured. Equipment grants, for example, should be for specialised technology beyond standard NHS procurement.

What The Funder Values:

Mission-Driven Focus: The charity is committed to ensuring patients and carers affected by head and neck cancer receive comprehensive support across the patient journey.

Innovation and Research: The charity's support for cutting-edge projects like rapid genetic sequencing for anaplastic thyroid cancer (£24,089 grant) shows openness to innovative approaches.

Professional Development: With two annual scholarships and funding for conference attendance, the charity recognises that educating healthcare professionals ultimately benefits patients.

Filling Gaps: The charity explicitly states its mission is to improve quality of life where support is not available through public funding.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Applying for projects the NHS should fund
• Requesting support for conditions outside head and neck focus (particularly brain conditions)
• Insufficient detail on patient benefits
• Weak justification for why NHS cannot fund the project
• Applications from organisations outside England & Wales
• Individual hardship requests (not within grant-making remit)

Strategic Timing:

Submit applications well before trustee meeting cut-off dates (at least 1 month prior) to ensure consideration. For time-sensitive projects, mention this in the application as the charity may consider urgent cases outside regular meetings.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Niche Focus: Get A-Head exclusively funds head and neck disease projects—do not apply for brain injury/disease work despite the charity name
• Gap Funding Philosophy: Convincingly demonstrate why NHS cannot fund your project; this is the core criterion for all applications
• Strong NHS/University Ties: Eligibility is limited to NHS Hospital Trusts and universities, reflecting the charity's clinical and research focus
• Quarterly Decision Cycle: Plan submissions at least 5-6 weeks before desired funding date to align with trustee meeting schedules
• Relationship Building: The escalating grants to Swallows (£24,000 to £37,000) suggest the charity values proven partners—consider starting with a smaller project to establish credibility
• Peer Review Threshold: Research grants over £50,000 trigger peer review, extending timelines—factor this into your planning
• Cost-Effectiveness Matters: Demonstrate maximum patient impact per pound requested
• Complementary Therapy Support: Unlike many medical charities, Get A-Head actively funds complementary therapies—these applications are welcome if they improve patient quality of life

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Oracle Head And Neck Cancer Uk Limited
• Lingen Davies Cancer Fund Charitable Incorporated Organisation
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity
• Robert Luff Foundation Limited
• University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity
• North West Cancer Research (incorporating Clatterbridge Cancer Research Ccr)
• The Janet Nash Charitable Settlement
• Leukaemia Uk
• Brain Research Uk
• Sheffield Hospitals Charity

References

1. Charity Commission Register of Charities, “THE GET A HEAD CHARITABLE TRUST - 1118326,”, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1118326&subid=0
2. Get A-Head Charitable Trust, “Grant Funding Application,”, https://getahead.org.uk/grant-application/
3. Get A-Head Charitable Trust, “Grant Application and Processing Guidelines,”, https://getahead.org.uk/applying-for-grant/
4. Get A-Head Charitable Trust, “Who We Are,”, https://getahead.org.uk/who-we-are/
5. Get A-Head Charitable Trust, “What We Do,”, https://getahead.org.uk/what-we-do/
6. Get A-Head Charitable Trust, “Grant strengthens support for head and neck cancer patients across the UK,” https://getahead.org.uk/2025/08/28/grant-strengthens-support-for-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-across-the-uk/
7. Charity Today News, “Grant boost gives hope for thyroid cancer breakthrough,” https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/grant-boost-gives-hope-for-thyroid-cancer-breakthrough/
8. Birmingham World, “Grant from Birmingham charity strengthens support for head and neck cancer patients across the UK,” https://www.birminghamworld.uk/community/grant-from-birmingham-charity-strengthens-support-for-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-across-the-uk-5292261
9. Get A-Head Charitable Trust, “History,” https://getahead.org.uk/history/
10. Business Mondays, “Two new trustees appointed at Birmingham-based charity Get A-Head,” https://businessmondays.co.uk/two-new-trustees-appointed-at-birmingham-based-charity-get-a-head/