The Lapworth Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £163,000 (2024)
• Annual Giving: ~£40,000 (approximately one-third of income)
• Grant Range: £300 - £900 (individuals); Variable (organizations)
• Geographic Focus: Ancient Parish of Lapworth, Warwickshire
• Application Method: Application forms and online submissions
• Charity Number: 210948 (original) / 1200967 (CIO)

Contact Details

Address: The Braids, Rising Lane, Lapworth, Solihull, B94 6JE

Phone: 01564 784193

Email: lapworthcharity@gmail.com

Website: www.lapworthcharity.com

Secretary/Administrator: Mrs Helen Wolleston

Overview

The Lapworth Charity has been serving the people of Lapworth for over 500 years, making it one of England's oldest village charities. Originally established in the 16th century and formally registered on 22 July 1963, the charity operates under a governing document most recently amended on 3 February 2024. With an annual income of approximately £163,000 derived from property rents and invested funds, the charity distributes roughly one-third of its income (approximately £40,000) equally between almshouse maintenance, grants to local organizations, and grants to individuals. The charity operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with 11-14 volunteer trustees who meet quarterly, supported by three active sub-committees. The charity serves the ancient parish of Lapworth, a community of approximately 1,900 residents in Warwickshire, seven miles south of Solihull.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs for Individuals

Student Academic Grants

• Amount: Up to £900 per year
• Covers: Accommodation, books, computer equipment, study travel
• Excludes: Expenses covered by government loan schemes
• Eligibility: Residents of Lapworth parish
• Application: Download form or apply online

School/College Transport Grants

• Amount: Up to 50% of transport costs
• Eligibility:
• Lapworth parish residents aged 16-19
• Household income typically under £50,000
• Also considers students under 16 not attending nearest qualifying school

Chiropody Services Grants

• Amount: 50% of non-NHS chiropody costs
• Eligibility: State Pension recipients with income below HMRC tax threshold

Winter Fuel Payments

• Amount: £300 annually
• Paid: December
• Eligibility: Lapworth residents of retirement age with income below HMRC tax threshold

Financial Hardship Grants

• Type: Flexible support for various needs
• Previous Examples: Dyslexia support, special education needs tuition, medical costs
• Application: Email inquiry to discuss circumstances

Grant Programs for Organizations

The charity makes regular grants to local organizations including:

• Churchwardens of St Mary's, Lapworth
• Churchwardens of St Thomas's, Nuthurst
• Lapworth Educational Foundation
• Lapworth School
• Elderberries
• Little Oaks Preschool
• Lapworth Old People's Association

Organizations can download application forms or submit online via the charity's website.

Priority Areas

1. Poverty Relief: Financial hardship, sickness, or poor health among those in need
2. Education: Financial support for individuals, organizations, and educational institutions
3. Christian Faith: Support to Christian churches and organizations, including dedicated annual payments to St. Mary's Church (minimum one-eighth of distributable income) and St. Thomas' Church
4. Almshouse Provision: Maintenance of social housing for those in need

What They Don't Fund

• Expenses covered by government loan schemes (for student grants)
• Organizations or individuals outside the ancient parish of Lapworth

Ready to write a winning application for The Lapworth Charity?

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

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by 11-14 volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration. Key trustees include:

• Chair: Ms Sarah Thompson
• Secretary/Administrator: Mrs Helen Wolleston
• Derek John Abbott
• Judy McCluskey
• Clive Garfield Whereat
• Elizabeth Mary Beaver
• Jennifer Ann Bragg

Trustees can change periodically, and interested parties can contact Helen Wolleston about trustee vacancies.

Governance Structure

The charity operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission under two numbers: 210948 (original registration) and 1200967 (CIO registration).

Meeting Schedule:

• 4 full trustee meetings per year
• 3 sub-committees meeting 2-3 times annually:
• Estates & Finance
• Pound Close (Almshouses)
• Charitable Payments Committee

The charity's governing document was established in 1963 under a scheme dated 22 July 1963, with subsequent amendments in 1973, 2004, and most recently on 3 February 2024.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Individual Grants:

1. Visit www.lapworthcharity.com/individualgrants.htm
2. Select the appropriate grant type
3. Download the specific application form OR submit online via JotForm
4. For financial hardship grants, email Helen Wolleston to discuss your circumstances first

For Organization Grants:

1. Visit www.lapworthcharity.com/localgrants.htm
2. Download the application form OR submit online via JotForm
3. Applications are reviewed by the Charitable Payments Committee

Contact for Questions: Mrs Helen Wolleston can be contacted via email at lapworthcharity@gmail.com or through the online enquiry form for detailed information about any grant program.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are made by the Charitable Payments Committee, which meets 2-3 times annually. Specific decision timelines are not publicly stated, but with quarterly full trustee meetings and regular sub-committee meetings, applicants can expect decisions within a few months of application.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the charity has a limited geographic area (Lapworth parish with approximately 1,900 residents) and distributes approximately £40,000 annually across all grant programs, suggesting a manageable number of applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated on the website. Contact Helen Wolleston for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Given the charity's 500-year history and deep roots in the Lapworth community, successful applications likely demonstrate:

1. Clear Lapworth Connection: Applicants must be residents of the ancient parish of Lapworth. Ensure your application clearly establishes this residency.

• For student grants: Show costs beyond government loan coverage
• For transport grants: Document household income under £50,000
• For pension-age grants: Demonstrate income below HMRC tax threshold
• For hardship grants: Explain specific circumstances through initial email contact

1. Alignment with Historical Mission: The charity has supported education, poverty relief, and Christian faith for centuries. Applications that align with these long-standing priorities are likely to be viewed favorably.

1. Local Organization Relationships: For organizations, the list of regular recipients suggests the charity maintains ongoing relationships with established local groups serving Lapworth residents.

1. Complete Applications: Use the specific forms provided for each grant type, ensuring all required information is included.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geography is Critical: Only residents of the ancient parish of Lapworth are eligible; this is a small community of approximately 1,900 people
• Limited but Reliable Funding: With approximately £40,000 distributed annually across all programs, grants are modest but the charity has 500 years of consistent operation
• Multiple Grant Types Available: Individual residents may be eligible for multiple grant types (e.g., students can apply for both academic and transport grants)
• Accessible Application Process: Forms are available online with both download and online submission options
• Contact First for Hardship: For financial hardship grants, email discussion before formal application is encouraged
• Trustees Have Discretion: The Charitable Payments Committee makes decisions based on the governing document and trustee judgment
• Established Local Organizations Favored: The list of regular organizational recipients suggests preference for established local groups with track records
• Income Thresholds Matter: Several grants specify income thresholds (£50,000 for transport grants, HMRC tax threshold for pension-age grants)

References

• The Lapworth Charity official website: www.lapworthcharity.com
• Individual Grants page: https://lapworthcharity.com/individualgrants.htm
• Local Grants page: https://lapworthcharity.com/localgrants.htm
• Governance page: https://lapworthcharity.com/governance.htm
• Charity Commission Register: The Lapworth Charity (210948) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/210948/full-print
• Charity Commission Register: The Lapworth Charity CIO (1200967)
• Wikipedia: Lapworth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapworth