The Norwood and Newton Settlement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £326,000 (2022/23)
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £30,000
• Number of Grants: Approximately 19 grants per year
• Geographic Focus: Free Churches in England and Wales; Church of England churches in London Borough of Havering
• 10-Year Impact: £2.861 million distributed across 237 projects
• Decision Frequency: Trustees meet 3-4 times annually

Contact Details

Address: 73 Shepherds Hill, Romford RM3 0NP

Phone: 01708 226618

Email: norwoodandnewton@btinternet.com

Website: norwoodandnewton.co.uk

Charity Number: 234964

Overview

The Norwood and Newton Settlement was established through the generosity of Thomas and Esther England, life-long Methodists from Romford. Thomas England founded the Norwood Settlement in 1952. Following his death in 1960, his wife Esther established the Newton Settlement. The settlements were named after Norwood and Newton. The two settlements merged in 1996 and are now administered by five committed Christian trustees.

With annual grant distribution of £326,000 in 2022/23, the Settlement focuses primarily on capital building projects for Free Churches (Non-Church of England) throughout England and Wales, with particular emphasis on the London Borough of Havering area, especially Romford and surrounding areas. Over the past decade, the Settlement has distributed £2.861 million across 237 projects, demonstrating sustained commitment to supporting Christian facilities and church growth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £1,500 - £30,000

• Capital building projects for Free Churches in England and Wales
• Church of England churches within the London Borough of Havering
• Application method: Formal written applications reviewed at quarterly trustee meetings

Small Grants Scheme: Amount not specified

• Supports local Christian charities in the London Borough of Havering
• One-off projects from Christian charities demonstrating Christian values

Priority Areas

What They Fund:

• Demolition and rebuilding of churches
• Church extensions and upgrades
• Building purchases for conversion (former schools, pubs, industrial/commercial units into places of worship)
• Capital projects undertaken by small Christian charities in the London Borough of Havering
• Projects that support church growth, both numerically and spiritually
• Methodist and other main-line Free Churches' capital building projects

Geographic Weighting:

• Primary focus: Free Churches throughout England and Wales
• Special emphasis: Romford in the London Borough of Havering and surrounding area
• Church of England churches are eligible only within the London Borough of Havering

What They Don't Fund

• General running costs
• Staffing costs
• Equipment
• Repairs or maintenance
• Non-capital projects

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: The Settlement is administered by five trustees, all of whom are committed Christians. The trustees serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration, payments, or benefits received from the charity.

Decision-Making Structure: Trustees meet 3-4 times per year to review and consider all fully completed applications received since their previous meeting.

How to Apply to The Norwood And Newton Settlement

How to Apply

Application Process:

• Submit a fully completed written application
• Applications are reviewed at trustee meetings held 3-4 times per year
• Trustees consider all complete applications received since their previous meeting
• Check the website (norwoodandnewton.co.uk) for application details and current status

Requirements:

• Applications must be fully completed before trustees will consider them
• Applicants must demonstrate Christian values
• Capital building projects must align with the Settlement's focus areas

Decision Timeline

Review Cycle: Applications are reviewed at quarterly trustee meetings (3-4 times annually)

Processing: Decision timelines depend on when your application is received relative to the next trustee meeting. Applications received just after a meeting will wait longer than those received shortly before the next scheduled meeting.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Contact the Settlement directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Founding Vision: The Settlement continues the legacy of Thomas and Esther England's commitment to Methodist and Free Church development. Applications that demonstrate how projects support church growth—both numerically and spiritually—align with the founders' vision.

Geographic Considerations: While the Settlement funds Free Churches throughout England and Wales, there is an explicit “weighting towards Romford in the London Borough of Havering, and the surrounding area.” Projects in or near this area may receive additional consideration.

Capital Project Focus: The Settlement has a clear mandate for capital building projects. Ensure your application focuses on physical building work rather than operational, staffing, or equipment costs. Strong applications will involve demolition and rebuilding, extensions, upgrades, or building conversions.

Completeness of Application: Trustees explicitly review only “fully completed applications.” Incomplete submissions will not be considered, so ensure all required information and documentation is provided.

Christian Values: For the Small Grants Scheme supporting Havering charities, demonstrating Christian values is essential. Make clear connections between your organisation's mission and Christian principles.

Realistic Funding Requests: Grants typically range from £1,500 to £30,000, averaging around £17,000 per grant based on 2022/23 figures (£326,000 across 19 grants). Tailor your request to fit within this range and be specific about how Settlement funding will be used within a larger capital project.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Capital projects only: This funder exclusively supports building projects—no operational costs, staffing, equipment, or maintenance
• Free Church focus: Primarily supports Methodist and other main-line Free Churches in England and Wales; Church of England churches eligible only in Havering
• Romford advantage: Projects in Romford and the London Borough of Havering receive priority consideration
• Quarterly decisions: With only 3-4 trustee meetings annually, plan your application timeline carefully—missing a meeting could delay decisions by 3-4 months
• Complete applications essential: Incomplete applications will not be reviewed; ensure all documentation is submitted
• Check website for status: Monitor the website for current information about application processes
• Legacy-driven: Understanding the founders' Methodist heritage and commitment to church growth can help frame compelling applications

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Joseph Rank Trust
• Hymns Ancient And Modern Limited
• Charity Of John Marshall
• The Maurice And Hilda Laing Charitable Trust
• Benefact Trust Limited
• The Beatrice Laing Trust
• The Bishop Radford Trust
• Bernard Sunley Foundation
• The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust
• The Oxford Good Stewards Trust

References

• The Norwood and Newton Settlement official website: https://norwoodandnewton.co.uk
• About page: https://norwoodandnewton.co.uk/about
• History page: https://norwoodandnewton.co.uk/history
• Charity Commission Register of Charities: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=234964&subId=0
• National Churches Trust - Support Organisations: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/newton-and-norwood-settlement