The Ursula Keyes Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £349,577 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (decisions made at meetings)
• Grant Range: £2,500 - £69,500+ (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: Chester District Council area, particularly former Chester City and parishes of Great Boughton and Upton

Contact Details

Website: www.ursula-keyes-trust.org.uk

Phone: 01244 505100

Postal Address: c/o RSM Accountants, Attention Mrs D Lawless, One, City Place, Queens Rd, Chester CH1 3BQ

Overview

The Ursula Keyes Trust was established in 1985 as the legacy of Ursula Keyes, a prominent Chester resident who died in 1989 at the age of 75. Registered as charity number 517200 in March 1989, the trust had an annual income of £429,390 and annual expenditure of £349,577 in 2023. The trust's mission is to support the financial needs of various organisations and individuals in the Chester area, particularly in the fields of health and social care. The trust focuses on the dissemination and improvement of medical knowledge, skills and the care or treatment of patients. Governed by eight trustees comprising local business people and medical professionals, the trust meets quarterly to review applications and make funding decisions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program on a rolling quarterly basis, with applications reviewed at meetings held in January, April, July and October. Applications must be submitted at least two weeks before each quarterly meeting.

Priority Areas

The trust has demonstrated strong commitment to:

• Health and Medical Equipment: Hospital equipment, medical devices, hospice equipment, GP surgery facilities
• Social Care: Support for disabled people, elderly care, children's hospices, neurological therapy
• Youth Programs: Youth sports, youth clubs for disabled children, educational equipment for schools
• Community Facilities: Community health infrastructure, therapy centres, cultural projects
• Capital Projects: Equipment and building improvements that benefit Chester area residents

Geographic eligibility extends primarily (but not exclusively) to inhabitants of the Chester District Council area, particularly those living within the boundaries of the former Chester City and the parishes of Great Boughton and Upton. National charities are also considered for support if there is a clear link to local beneficiaries.

Beneficiary groups include children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, other charities and voluntary bodies, and other defined groups. The trust makes grants to both organizations and individuals, and sponsors or undertakes research.

What They Don't Fund

Funds are mainly directed at the cost of capital projects and equipment rather than as a source of funding for ongoing running costs or salaries. This is the trust's primary funding restriction.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by eight trustees including a Chairman. The board comprises local business people and medical staff, including former managing directors, solicitors, District Judges, medical professionals (family doctors and surgeons), Chartered Building Surveyors, and Chartered Accountants.

John Brimelow, Chair of Trustees, has been vocal about the trust's commitment to community impact. His statements reflect the trust's values:

• On youth sports: “By supporting youth sports we are investing in the future, fostering teamwork, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle.”
• On neurological therapy: “The staff and trustees at the Neuro Therapy Centre do amazing work for the community, not just for people with long-term neurological conditions, but with their carers, and families, and the NHS.”
• On medical equipment: “Ursula Keyes Trust is happy to continue to support this work by providing this grant to enable the purchase of the state-of-the-art ultrasound machine.”
• On community facilities: “This is an important way the Ursula Keyes Trust can make a difference to the community and quality of life in the City.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted online through the trust's website at www.ursula-keyes-trust.org.uk, or by post to: RSM Accountants, Attention Mrs D Lawless, One, City Place, Queens Rd, Chester CH1 3BQ.

The trust accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet every quarter to review applications:

• 17th January 2025
• 11th April 2025
• 11th July 2025
• 10th October 2025

Application deadline: Two weeks before each quarterly meeting date.

Applications are reviewed at the quarterly meetings, and trustees examine each application collectively to reach funding decisions. Specific notification timelines after meetings are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Success rate data, including the number of applications received versus approved, is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The trust's policy on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Prospective applicants may wish to contact the trust directly for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's recent grant-making patterns and stated priorities, the following factors appear important:

Strong Focus on Medical Equipment and Capital Projects: The trust has demonstrated a clear preference for funding capital purchases, particularly medical equipment. Recent grants include a £69,500 Faxitron Trident HD Specimen Radiography System, a £50,000 CPR training simulator, and more than £30,000 for an ultrasound machine. This aligns with their stated restriction that “funds are mainly directed at the cost of capital projects and equipment.”

Clear Local Benefit: The trust prioritizes projects that demonstrably benefit Chester area residents. Even when supporting national charities, there must be a clear local connection. For example, Claire House Children's Hospice received £2,507 for a Care Reflex Chair serving 414 local children and families.

Match Funding Welcomed: The trust appears to value projects where their contribution is matched by other fundraising efforts. Chairman John Brimelow's statements emphasize community partnership and collective impact.

Specific, Tangible Outcomes: Successful applications identify specific equipment or capital items with clear purposes. The trust funded a 10ft x 15ft storage shed with professional signage for Kelsall Wellbeing Hub, Chester Mystery Plays received £10,000 for their 2023 production, and the Neuro Therapy Centre received £50,000 for premises expansion.

Multi-Year Relationships: The trust appears to maintain ongoing relationships with certain organizations, such as the Countess of Chester Hospital (multiple grants for different equipment), suggesting that delivering results on previous grants may open doors for future support.

Community Impact Beyond Direct Beneficiaries: The trust values projects that create ripple effects. When funding the Neuro Therapy Centre, trustees highlighted support not just for people with neurological conditions, but also for carers, families, and the NHS.

Youth Development: The trust has shown interest in youth-focused projects, with grants to the Upton-by-Chester U16 Netball Team and Live! Cheshire's youth club programme for disabled children.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on capital and equipment, not running costs - This is the trust's primary restriction and should guide your application strategy
• Demonstrate clear Chester area benefit - Even if you're a national charity, show the specific local impact in the Chester District Council area
• Be specific about what you're purchasing - Include exact equipment models, costs, and purposes rather than general funding requests
• Highlight match funding and partnership approaches - Show how your project involves community partnership and leverages other resources
• Plan ahead for quarterly deadlines - Submit at least two weeks before January, April, July or October meetings to ensure consideration
• Consider the medical and health angle - The trust has strong roots in healthcare and shows consistent support for medical facilities and equipment
• Build long-term relationships - Successful delivery of a first grant may lead to consideration for future projects
• Quantify your local impact - Use specific numbers about how many Chester residents will benefit from your project

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust
• Brian Wilson Charitable Trust
• Bathgate Charitable Trust
• CRH Charitable Trust
• THE ALA GREEN CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Holroyd Foundation
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• Congleton Inclosure Trust
• Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust
• Bain Charitable Trust

References

• The Charity Commission, “THE URSULA KEYES TRUST - 517200”, Register of Charities, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/517200
• Ursula Keyes Trust website, www.ursula-keyes-trust.org.uk
• Ursula Keyes Trust, “Applications and Meetings”, https://ursula-keyes-trust.org.uk/applications-and-meetings/
• Ursula Keyes Trust, “Neuro Therapy Centre Expansion”, https://ursula-keyes-trust.org.uk/neuro-therapy-centre/
• Chester's Dee Radio, “Ursula Keyes Trust helps Neuro Therapy Centre Expand”, https://www.dee1063.com/news/local-news/ursula-keyes-trust-helps-neuro-therapy-centre-expand/
• Chester and District Standard, “Countess of Chester receives ultrasound machine from charity”, https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/24950924.countess-chester-receives-ultrasound-machine-charity/
• Chester and District Standard, “Countess of Chester gets state-of-the-art Breast Care Centre equipment”, https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/23227312.countess-chester-gets-state-of-the-art-breast-care-centre-equipment/
• Chester and District Standard, “Chester: Cash boost for netball team to compete nationally”, https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/24241216.chester-cash-boost-netball-team-compete-nationally/
• Turn2us Grants Search, “The Ursula Keyes Trust”, https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-ursula-keyes-trust-15799