The Get A-head Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £379,949 (expenditure FY 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-5 weeks after 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 Cricketers to support those suffering from head and neck diseases, particularly cancer. Over its 30-year history, the charity has raised more than £10 million. With an annual expenditure of £379,949 (FY 2024), 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 emphasizes filling gaps in NHS provision and advancing medical understanding through research partnerships with universities and NHS trusts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants: Variable amounts (recent examples: £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 specialized 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., £10,000 for BAHNON conference delegates)

Patient Support Grants: £150-£37,000

• Cost of Living Fund: £150 per person grants
• Support for complementary therapies
• Funding for support organization infrastructure (e.g., £37,000 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 organization 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, brings governance expertise and lived experience perspective.

John Watkinson (Co-founder) - Former top ENT surgeon with 25 years at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, provides clinical expertise and founding vision.

Wendy Davies (Treasurer) - Former patient and corporate finance professional, brings financial management skills and patient perspective.

Shahz Ahmed - Surgeon specializing in sinus and skull surgery, provides current clinical expertise.

Paul Mourton - Real estate lawyer and managing partner, offers legal and business guidance.

Simon Fisher - Joined after losing a friend to rare cancer, brings personal commitment and professional skills.

Dr David Spooner - Clinical oncologist, provides specialist cancer treatment expertise.

Rob Spittle - Long-standing family connection to the charity, represents continuity and institutional memory.

No trustees receive remuneration from the charity (as of 2024 accounts).

Senior Staff

Danni Heath (Director) - Over 20 years of experience in charities and social enterprises, leads strategic direction. Heath stated: “We are delighted to strengthen our important partnership with Swallows to ensure that all patients and carers affected by head and neck cancer get the treatment and support they need.”

Clare Gosling (Marketing Lead) - Marketing and events professional with passion for advocacy, drives awareness and fundraising.

Laura Brookes-Reid (Administrator) - Background in medical administration, manages day-to-day operations.

The charity operates with minimal overhead, having no employees earning over £60,000 (FY 2024), ensuring maximum funds reach beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

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 Meeting Dates (2025-26):

• 10th December 2025
• 20th March 2026
• 15th June 2026
• 23rd September 2026
• 9th December 2026

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 had total expenditure of £379,949 in FY 2024 against income of £351,440, demonstrating active grant-making. Recent grant awards range 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 £37,000 grant 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 rigor 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: With annual expenditure under £400,000, 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 organizations.

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

What The Funder Values:

Mission-Driven Focus: Director Danni Heath's quote about ensuring “all patients and carers affected by head and neck cancer get the treatment and support they need” reflects the charity's commitment to 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 recognizes 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 organizations 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: With under £400,000 annual expenditure, 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

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,” August 28, 2025, https://getahead.org.uk/2025/08/28/grant-strengthens-support-for-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-across-the-uk/
7. Charity Today News, “Cancer inequality research gets huge boost from Get A-Head,”, https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/cancer-inequality-research-gets-huge-boost-from-get-a-head/
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