The Leonardo Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £339,281 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Up to £150 (crisis awards); larger amounts considered in exceptional circumstances
• Geographic Focus: Dorset (Bournemouth, Dorset, Poole)

Contact Details

Address: Anne van Brussel House, Unit 1, Albany Business Park, Cabot Lane, Poole, Dorset BH17 7BX

Phone: 01202 698325

Email: info@leonardocarersupport.org

Website: www.leonardotrust.org (redirects to leonardocarersupport.org)

Overview

The Leonardo Trust, now operating as Leonardo Carer Support, was established in 2001 with the motto “Helping people who care for others.” The charity's purpose is to relieve the stress and charitable needs of unpaid carers by providing respite and other support for them and those for whom they are caring. With an annual expenditure of £339,281 (2024), the charity supports unpaid carers throughout Dorset who care for friends or family members with illness, disability, mental health problems, or addiction. The organization has grown from its founding to now employ four staff members and is supported by six volunteers and seven trustees. The charity operates through two registered entities: The Leonardo Trust (1086045) and Leonardo Carer Support (1210102), both serving the same mission of supporting unpaid carers in Dorset.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Grants - Up to £150 (crisis awards); larger amounts considered exceptionally

• Covers respite breaks, home services and improvements, domestic appliances, social and leisure activities, coach trips and days out, tuition fees, alert lines and key safes, transport, and emergency support
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis via online application form

Groups Grants - Amount not specified

• Supports any carers group in Dorset needing funding
• Available for existing groups or new groups starting fresh projects
• Includes seed funding for new carers groups
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis via online application form

Additional Support Services - Non-grant services include counselling, benefits advice, support groups, and access to holiday homes for respite

Priority Areas

• Unpaid carers in Dorset caring for sick or disabled relatives or friends for a substantial amount of time
• Adult carers, parent carers, and young carers providing unpaid care
• Support for those caring for individuals with illness, disability, mental health problems, or addiction
• Emergency and crisis situations requiring immediate financial assistance
• Respite and wellbeing support to improve carers' quality of life

What They Don't Fund

• Carers with savings of £10,000 or more
• Carpeting and flooring (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Repeated awards within 2 years (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Cash crisis grants over £150 (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Reimbursements for expenses already paid
• Persistent applications within a twelve-month period (except in exceptional circumstances)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (7 members):

• Anne Lesley Dixon (Chair) - Retired Director of University Services at The Arts University Bournemouth (1998-2010), with senior management responsibility for Estates, Facilities, Marketing and Human Resources. Became a trustee in February 2019.
• Benjamin Cole - Over 25 years' experience in financial services, predominantly in investment banks. Currently responsible for operational risk governance at a leading wealth manager. Married with two children, previously a foster carer and supported his wife caring for his late mother-in-law.
• Lindsay (surname not disclosed) - Retired professional vocalist and carer for over 20 years. Joined to offer insight into the caring role.
• Nicola Jayne Beckley - Director for a leading Autism Charity in Berkshire with 7 years in that role, bringing over 20 years' experience in HR and Leadership across charity, care, medical, and technology sectors.
• Caroline Hearne
• Terri Simone Lewis
• Mary O'Sullivan - Retired finance director
• Mevin Sohorye - Healthcare professional

Senior Leadership Team:

• Donna Blanche, MSc, DipSW (Chief Executive Officer) - Joined in 2018 with over 25 years' senior leadership and management experience in the charity and education sectors. Qualified Social Worker and Practice Educator, previously CEO of a charity supporting vulnerable children and families. Has personal experience as a carer for her adult daughter who is learning disabled. Quote: “We aim to provide, information, advice, financial help and a range of wellbeing and support services to enable carers to have the quality of life they want, need, and deserve.”

• Emily Stafford (Charity Services Manager) - Joined in 2019, qualified Counsellor who manages all services and the staff team. Has family members who are carers and is passionate about helping others.

• Sini Lucas, HND, BSc (Charity Services Coordinator) - Health and Safety Lead from Finland with over 20 years' adult social care experience. Previously worked as Carers Representation Coordinator.

Administrative Staff:

• Jody Hayter (Charity Administrator) - Joined in 2021 with over 20 years' administrative experience
• Nicky Stafford (Services Administrator) - Joined in 2022 with over 30 years' experience in administration in the local hotel industry and schools
• Sophie Hinks (Administrator)
• Rachel Pilling (Finance Administrator) - Joined in 2025 with over 30 years' experience in finance and administration

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Individual Grants: Apply via the online application form on their website (leonardocarersupport.org) or contact the office at 01202 698325 for an alternative application method. A professional must confirm that the applicant is an unpaid carer residing in Dorset.

Groups Grants: Apply via the online application form on their website or contact the office directly.

The application process is described as “simple” with applications reviewed “with empathy and understanding.” The charity's goal is to remove financial barriers preventing carers from accessing support.

Decision Timeline

Decision timeframes are not publicly disclosed. Applicants are encouraged to contact the charity directly for information about their specific application.

Success Rates

Success rates and application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Generally, carers who have previously received an award within the last 2 years cannot apply again except in exceptional circumstances. The trustees reserve the right to refuse funding for persistent applications within a twelve-month period, again except in exceptional circumstances. Trustees reserve the right to refuse any application, and their decision is final after the appeals process.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be an unpaid carer living in Dorset
• Must care for a sick or disabled relative or friend for a substantial amount of time
• Must have maximum savings of £10,000
• Can be receiving or not receiving benefits
• Can work on a part-time basis
• Does not need to be registered with social services

Important Considerations:

• The charity understands that many people with modest savings are often excluded from statutory help and are happy to consider requests from people in this situation
• Although not fully means tested, the charity cannot help those who can afford to pay for their own needs
• Some grants are subject to varying eligibility criteria, means testing, and proof of income
• Professional confirmation of caring status is required

Application Approach:

• Be clear about your caring situation and the substantial time commitment involved
• Explain how the grant will relieve stress or improve quality of life for you as a carer
• Be honest about your financial situation, including savings and income
• If requesting more than £150 or reapplying within 2 years, clearly explain the exceptional circumstances
• The team reviews applications with empathy and understanding, so communicate your genuine needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local focus only: The Leonardo Trust exclusively serves unpaid carers in Dorset - applicants must live in this geographic area
• Savings threshold is critical: The £10,000 savings limit is a hard eligibility requirement that cannot be bypassed
• Small grants with quick support: Crisis awards up to £150 are the standard, though exceptional circumstances may warrant larger amounts
• Two-year spacing: Plan carefully as repeat applications within 2 years are generally not permitted except in exceptional cases
• Professional confirmation required: Ensure you can obtain confirmation from a professional that you are an unpaid carer before applying
• Empathetic review process: The charity emphasizes reviewing applications “with empathy and understanding,” so communicate genuine need honestly
• Rolling applications: No fixed deadlines - applications accepted on an ongoing basis for both individuals and groups

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation
• Dorset Community Foundation
• The Elmgrant Trust
• The Eight Foundation
• Chippenham Borough Lands Charity
• THE VALENTINE CHARITABLE TRUST
• TALBOT VILLAGE TRUST
• The Gloucestershire Association for Disability
• The Anchor Society CIO
• Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust

References

1. The Leonardo Trust Charity Commission Register (Charity No. 1086045): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3979581

1. Leonardo Carer Support Charity Commission Register (Charity No. 1210102): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5248417

1. Leonardo Carer Support official website - What We Fund: https://leonardocarersupport.org/what-we-fund/

1. Leonardo Carer Support official website - Meet the Team: https://leonardocarersupport.org/meet-the-team/

1. Leonardo Carer Support official website - Home: http://leonardocarersupport.org/

1. The Leonardo Trust - Turn2Us Grants Search: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-leonardo-trust-16942

1. The Leonardo Trust - Community Action Network: https://can100.org/story/leonardo-trust/

1. Charity Commission financial data for The Leonardo Trust (2020-2024)