The United Charities

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £65,393 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £24,977 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: Ancient Parish of Surfleet, Lincolnshire

Contact Details

Address: 2 Farthing Close, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 7LY

Phone: 07821 070015

Email: leannebarlow100@hotmail.co.uk

Chair of Trustees: Glynn Waltham

Overview

THE UNITED CHARITIES is a local grant-making charity registered on 28 May 1963, operating in the ancient parish of Surfleet, Lincolnshire. The charity's primary purpose is the prevention or relief of poverty, distributing yearly income for the benefit of poor people residing in or connected to the ancient parish of Surfleet. The charity is also known by alternative names including “LAND RENTS AND DOLES,” “SURFLEET SALTMARSH ALLOTMENTS,” and "SURFLEET UNITED CHARITIES (POORS & ELSDALE)," reflecting its historical roots in local endowments and land-based charitable trusts. The charity operates through grant-making activities and provides finance and buildings/facilities/open space to support those in need. With six trustees and no paid employees, the charity maintains a volunteer-led governance structure focused on local poverty relief.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity makes grants to individuals experiencing poverty in the Surfleet area. Specific grant amounts, application cycles, and program details are not publicly available.

Priority Areas

• Prevention or relief of poverty
• Support for poor people in the ancient parish of Surfleet
• Provision of finance, buildings, facilities, or open space to those in need

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available, though the charity's geographic restriction to the ancient parish of Surfleet means applicants outside this area would not be eligible.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (6 total):

1. Glynn Waltham (Chair)
2. Annette Mary Rhodes
3. Graham Hillier
4. Alan John Tokley
5. Simon James Brand
6. M Chapman

The charity operates with no paid staff, relying entirely on volunteer trustees to make grant decisions and manage the charity's assets. All trustees serve without remuneration. The charity has policies in place covering financial controls, risk management, safeguarding, and conflict of interest.

Linked Charitable Trusts: The United Charities appears to incorporate or be linked with several historical charitable endowments, including:

• Joseph Burton
• Poors Land
• Salt Marsh Allotment
• Samuel Elsdale (established 1810)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This charity does not have a publicly documented application process. Based on the nature of the charity and its local focus, grants are likely awarded through trustee discretion, local knowledge, and possibly referrals from community organizations or parish officials.

Potential applicants should contact the trustees directly using the contact details provided above to inquire about eligibility and the application process.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the local nature of this charity and its focus on Surfleet residents, potential strategies include:

• Contact the trustees directly via the email or phone number provided
• Inquire through Surfleet Parish Council, which may be aware of the charity's operations
• Establish connections within the local community where trustees may become aware of need

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Due to limited public information about this charity's grant-making practices, specific success factors cannot be documented. However, as a local poverty relief charity with deep historical roots in Surfleet, the following general considerations may apply:

• Geographic eligibility: Being a resident of or having strong connections to the ancient parish of Surfleet is likely essential
• Demonstrated need: Clear evidence of poverty or financial hardship would be important
• Local connections: As a small, locally-focused charity, trustees may rely on local knowledge and community connections when assessing need

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Highly localized: This charity exclusively serves the ancient parish of Surfleet, Lincolnshire
• Limited public information: No formal application process or guidelines are publicly available
• Direct contact required: Potential applicants should reach out directly to trustees via the contact details provided
• Historical roots: The charity has deep historical connections to local endowments and land trusts dating back to at least 1810
• Volunteer-led: With six unpaid trustees and no staff, this is a small, community-focused operation
• No public application process: This appears to be a discretionary grant-making trust rather than an open application program
• Recent financial activity: With £65,393 income and £24,977 expenditure in 2024, the charity is actively operating

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• London Borough of Islington
• The London Community Foundation
• The Henry Smith Foundation
• CRIPPLEGATE FOUNDATION
• THE BRIDGE TRUST
• Greater London Authority
• BBC Children in Need
• THE LINBURY TRUST
• Jack Petchey Foundation
• The Swire Charitable Trust
• THE CALLEVA FOUNDATION
• THE HEALTH FOUNDATION
• The Football Foundation
• THE NATIONWIDE FOUNDATION
• Maudsley Charity
• The Hargreaves Foundation
• THE CHILDHOOD TRUST
• UNITED CHARITIES
• National Lottery
• HENRY SMITH

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - THE UNITED CHARITIES (Charity Number 215260)

URL: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/215260

Accessed: December 29, 2025

1. England GenWeb Project - Lincolnshire, Surfleet (Historical information about Samuel Elsdale charity)

URL: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~englin/S/surfleet.htm

Accessed: December 29, 2025