The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust

Charity Number: 1096211

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £306,424 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (known example: £25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, and adjacent counties (some national support)

Contact Details

Address: 2 Copse Gate, Winslow, Buckingham, MK18 3HX

Phone: 01296 715466

Charity Number: 1096211

No website or email address available. Contact by phone or post.

Overview

The Roger and Jean Jefcoate Trust was registered as a charity on 25 February 2003, having previously operated as the Disability Aid Fund since 1983. Founded by Roger Jefcoate CBE DL and his late wife Jean, the trust has funded millions of pounds worth of special equipment for disabled individuals and grants to small frontline healthcare charities over four decades. In the financial year ending September 2024, the trust had total income of £362,783 and expenditure of £306,424. The trust operates with six trustees and no paid staff, maintaining a focused, selective approach to grant-making that prioritizes carefully chosen organizations supporting older people with disabilities and health needs in the local region and selected national charities working in specialized areas of assistive technology and disability support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes awards through trustee discretion to a carefully selected portfolio of organizations.

Priority Areas

The trust supports:

  • Healthcare and disability charities serving older people in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, and adjacent counties
  • Assistive technology and special needs equipment - particularly charities developing or providing technology that promotes independence for disabled people
  • Health and wellbeing services offering information, advice, and practical help
  • Small frontline charities with direct impact on beneficiaries
  • Organizations promoting accessibility for people with special needs and disabilities

Known recipients include:

  • Action4Youth (£25,000 for accessible facilities development)
  • WheelPower (multiple awards over many years)
  • MK SNAP (ongoing support since founding)
  • National Spinal Injuries Centre
  • Various local Buckinghamshire charities

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but the trust's focus is clearly on:

  • Disability and healthcare causes only
  • Charities with a connection to their geographic region or national charities in specialist areas
  • Organizations aligned with the founders' particular interests in assistive technology
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Vivien Dinning - Chair
  • Roger Jefcoate CBE DL - Founder/Trustee
  • Carol Wemyss - Trustee
  • Alistair Thomas Richard Wemyss - Trustee (appointed October 2020)
  • Kathryn Hobbs - Trustee (appointed November 2020)
  • Catharine Margaret Parouty - Trustee (appointed January 2022)

Leadership Philosophy

Roger Jefcoate CBE DL has devoted over 60 years to making life better for disabled people. Beginning in his teens working with Sir Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital's National Spinal Injuries Centre, Roger pioneered life-changing independence technology. As deputy director of the electronic laboratories for ten years, he and his team developed The Possum, the world's first home remote-control system enabling wheelchair or bedbound users to call for help, control household devices, and maintain independence.

Roger has founded or co-founded numerous national healthcare and disability charities including Sequal Trust, Mobility Trust, Demand, Canine Partners, AbilityNet, ME Research UK, and Medical Detection Dogs. He was appointed CBE in 1998 for services to disabled people and has served as Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire since 2011.

On grant-making approach: When announcing the trust's £25,000 donation to Action4Youth, Roger stated it was “the biggest donation for years from our small trust to a single cause but it is worthwhile to help develop an accessible and sustainable centre with inclusive facilities.” This reveals the trust's willingness to make substantial awards to causes that strongly align with their mission, particularly those promoting accessibility.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process. The trust operates on a selective basis, supporting “a few carefully selected” organizations identified by the trustees. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion rather than open competition.

Based on available information, the trust's approach involves:

  • Long-term relationships with beneficiary organizations
  • Trustee identification of suitable causes
  • Focus on organizations within their network or known to them through the disability sector

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's selective, relationship-based approach, organizations seeking support should understand:

Strategic Alignment:

  • The trust prioritizes assistive technology and practical equipment that promotes independence
  • Focus on older people with disabilities is central to their mission
  • Local charities in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes region receive priority
  • National charities in specialist disability technology areas may be considered

Connection to the Trust's Values:

  • Roger Jefcoate's quote about Action4Youth reveals what matters: accessibility, sustainability, and inclusive facilities for people with disabilities
  • The trust's history shows preference for frontline charities delivering direct services
  • Organizations developing or providing special needs technology align strongly with the founders' pioneering work in this field

Examples of Funded Work:

  • Action4Youth's accessible outdoor center redevelopment
  • WheelPower's wheelchair sport programs
  • MK SNAP's support services for people with learning difficulties
  • Equipment provision for disabled individuals

Trust's Approach:

  • Willing to make significant grants to causes that strongly align with mission
  • Described as “small trust” by founder, suggesting selective rather than volume grant-making
  • Multi-year relationships with beneficiaries rather than one-off grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No open application process - This trust identifies beneficiaries rather than accepting applications; relationship-building in the disability sector may create opportunities for introduction
  • Strong geographic focus - Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, and adjacent counties are the primary service area for local charities
  • Assistive technology expertise - The founder's pioneering work in independence technology for disabled people shapes the trust's interests
  • Accessibility is key - The trust is moved by projects making facilities and services more accessible for people with disabilities
  • Selective and substantial - Rather than many small grants, the trust makes fewer, more significant awards to carefully chosen causes
  • Older people priority - While supporting various disability causes, there is particular focus on healthcare and disability support for older people
  • Local relationships matter - Known recipients have local connections to Buckinghamshire/Milton Keynes or are national charities in specialist areas where the founder has personal involvement

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References

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust fund?

Grant Programs The trust does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes awards through trustee discretion to a carefully selected portfolio of organizations.

How much funding does The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust provide?

The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust provides grants ranging from Not publicly disclosed (known example: £25,000), with total annual giving of approximately £306,424 (2024).

How do I contact The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust?

Address: 2 Copse Gate, Winslow, Buckingham, MK18 3HX Phone: 01296 715466 Charity Number: 1096211 No website or email address available. Contact by phone or post.

Is The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust a registered charity?

Yes, The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission (charity number 1096211). They primarily serve organisations in Throughout England And Wales.

How do I apply to The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust?

How to Apply This trust does not have a public application process. The trust operates on a selective basis, supporting "a few carefully selected" organizations identified by the trustees. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion rather than open competition.

Where is The Roger And Jean Jefcoate Trust based?

They fund organisations in Throughout England And Wales.