The Wilson Memorial Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1087173
• Company Number: 4168010
• Annual Expenditure: £172,939 (2024/25)
• Total Grants Since 2001: £1,120,000
• Number of Projects Funded: Approximately 140
• Grant Range: £120 - £200,000
• Geographic Focus: Steyning, Bramber, and Upper Beeding (Steyning Medical Practice catchment area), West Sussex
• Decision Frequency: Trustees meet every 2 months

Contact Details

Address: Yew Tree Cottage, Horsham Road, Steyning, BN44 3LJ, West Sussex

Email: wilsonmemorialtrust@gmail.com

Website: https://wilsonmemorialtrust.uk

Telephone: 07881 827729

Overview

The Wilson Memorial Trust was established in 2001 through a generous endowment from Ted and Margaret Wilson, residents of Steyning who were deeply committed to their local community. Ted Wilson was involved in community work, served as a tennis coach, and chaired the Patient Participation Group, helping to plan a new Health Centre before his death in 2011. The couple left the majority of their estate to create this trust, which has since become a significant funder of community projects in the Steyning area.

Since its inception, the Trust has distributed approximately £1,120,000 across 140 projects, ranging from small equipment purchases to major infrastructure developments. The Trust operates with a volunteer board of seven trustees, all from the Steyning area, who meet bi-monthly to review grant applications and oversee funded projects. With annual expenditure of approximately £172,939, the Trust focuses exclusively on projects that support the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people within the Steyning Medical Practice catchment area, which includes Steyning, Bramber, and Upper Beeding.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Wilson Memorial Trust operates a single grant program with rolling applications. Grants are considered at trustee meetings held every two months, and there are no fixed application deadlines.

Grant Range: £120 to £200,000

• Examples include: £120 for a wheelchair at Steyning Health Centre; £200,000 for the all-weather football pitch at Steyning Community Hub
• Recent major grants include £125,000 for the White Bridge Link footbridge and footpath project

Priority Areas

The Trust's charitable objectives focus on:

1. Physical and Mental Health: The prevention and relief of physical and mental sickness and disability, and the preservation, protection, and promotion of mental and physical health and wellbeing

1. Health Equipment and Facilities: Provision of equipment, facilities, and services which supplement and support (but are not contracted to be provided by) the local health authority or any other part of the NHS

1. Health Education: The advancement of education, particularly relating to the benefits of good health and prevention of sickness

1. Community Wellbeing: Support for projects that enhance the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people in Steyning and neighbouring villages

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• All-weather 3G football pitch at Steyning Community Hub (£200,000)
• White Bridge Link footbridge replacement and footpath resurfacing (£125,000)
• Ted Wilson Clubhouse for Steyning Tennis Club
• Outdoor gym equipment at Fletchers Croft (Fletchers Croft Fit Zone)
• New building for the Gateway to the Steyning Downland Scheme
• Equipment for Steyning Health Centre
• Village hall kitchen and bathroom renovations in Upper Beeding
• Running track at Steyning Primary School
• Wildlife habitat creation around the Gateway building
• Community Fridge initiative
• Sports facilities including goalposts, court resurfacing, and cricket nets

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly states that facilities and support must be independent of statutory provision. This means they do not fund:

• Services that are contracted to be provided by the NHS or local health authority
• Projects that duplicate statutory services
• Projects outside the Steyning Medical Practice catchment area (Steyning, Bramber, and Upper Beeding)

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Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (All Volunteers)

• Simon Robinson (Chair) - Active community member who has overseen significant grants including the 3G football pitch project
• Sally Barnard
• Dr. Alan Bennett
• Vicci Johnson
• Garth Staden
• Susan Vaughan
• Henry Whitaker

All trustees are volunteers who live in the Steyning area and receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The Trust has no employees earning over £60,000 and operates with no trading subsidiaries.

Leadership Guidance

Simon Robinson, Chair of the Trust, has stated: “We are delighted to be supporting this fantastic project” when discussing the 3G football pitch at The Shooting Field, demonstrating the Trust's commitment to significant community infrastructure projects.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Wilson Memorial Trust accepts grant applications on a rolling basis. While specific application forms and detailed guidelines are not publicly available through their website's indexed pages, interested organizations should:

1. Contact the Trust via email at wilsonmemorialtrust@gmail.com
2. Visit their website at wilsonmemorialtrust.uk for application information
3. Ensure projects fall within the Steyning Medical Practice catchment area (Steyning, Bramber, and Upper Beeding)

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Every 2 months
• Review Process: Trustees consider grant applications, review existing projects, and ensure Charity Commission compliance at each meeting
• Decision Timeframe: Applications are reviewed at the next scheduled trustee meeting following submission

Success Rates

Since 2001, the Trust has funded approximately 140 projects totaling £1,120,000. With annual expenditure of around £172,939, the Trust is an active and consistent funder in its geographic area. Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Organizations should contact the Trust directly to inquire about reapplication if an initial application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's funding history and stated objectives, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Health and Wellbeing Benefits: Projects must directly support the physical, mental, or social wellbeing of people in the catchment area. The Fletchers Croft Fit Zone, for example, fulfilled the Trust's aims by providing free fitness equipment to benefit community health.

1. Supplementary to Statutory Services: Projects must provide facilities or services that are independent of and supplement NHS or statutory provision, not replace them.

1. Geographic Eligibility: Projects must benefit residents within the Steyning Medical Practice catchment area (Steyning, Bramber, and Upper Beeding).

1. Community Impact: The Trust has funded projects ranging from major infrastructure (£200,000 for a football pitch) to small essential equipment (£120 for a wheelchair), suggesting they value both scale and direct benefit to individuals.

1. Long-term Community Value: Large grants to projects like the Ted Wilson Clubhouse (named in honour of the founder) and the White Bridge Link demonstrate the Trust's willingness to invest in lasting community infrastructure.

1. Diverse Project Types: The Trust has funded sports facilities, health equipment, environmental projects, educational facilities, and community spaces, showing flexibility in approach while maintaining focus on health and wellbeing outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Local Focus is Essential: The Trust exclusively funds projects within the Steyning Medical Practice catchment area (Steyning, Bramber, and Upper Beeding). Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable.

• Wide Grant Range: With grants from £120 to £200,000, the Trust considers both small equipment needs and major infrastructure projects. Don't assume your project is too small or too large.

• Health and Wellbeing Connection: Every project must clearly demonstrate how it supports physical, mental, or social wellbeing. Even a football pitch or wildlife habitat was funded based on health and wellbeing benefits.

• Supplement, Don't Replace: Your project must provide something independent of statutory NHS or local authority provision. Clearly explain how your project supplements rather than duplicates existing services.

• Rolling Applications: With bi-monthly trustee meetings, there's no need to wait for an annual deadline. Apply when your project is ready.

• Community Infrastructure Welcome: The Trust has made significant investments (£200,000 and £125,000 grants) in long-term community assets, not just short-term programs.

• Contact for Guidance: With limited publicly available application guidelines, early contact with the Trust to discuss your project is advisable.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Lionel Abel-Smith Trust
• THE FRIEDA SCOTT CHARITABLE TRUST
• St Dennis and Nanpean Community Trust
• The Stevenage Community Trust
• John Jackson Charitable Trust
• Barton Under Needwood and Dunstall Key Trust
• Heveningham Hall Country Fair Trust
• The Jack Brunton Charitable Trust
• THE EVESON TRUST
• The Cwmbran Trust

References

1. The Charity Commission Register of Charities - The Wilson Memorial Trust (Charity Number 1087173): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3981201

1. The Wilson Memorial Trust official website: https://wilsonmemorialtrust.uk

1. The Wilson Memorial Trust - About The Trust: https://wilsonmemorialtrust.uk/about-the-wilson-memorial-trust/

1. The Wilson Memorial Trust - Projects Gallery: https://wilsonmemorialtrust.uk/wilson-memorial-trust-gallery/

1. Companies House - The Wilson Memorial Trust (Company Number 04168010): https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04168010

1. Sussex Express - “Ace Rusedski serves up super day at new clubhouse opening” (2018): https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/ace-rusedski-serves-up-super-day-at-new-clubhouse-opening-1061044

1. Sussex Express - “West Sussex village bridge replacement: Vital pedestrian route is closer to restoration as photos show progress on site”: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/council/west-sussex-village-bridge-replacement-vital-pedestrian-route-is-closer-to-restoration-as-photos-show-progress-on-site-5263740

1. West Sussex County Times - “Steyning set to unveil new 3G surface at the Shooting Field” (2016): https://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/football/local/steyning-set-to-unveil-new-3g-surface-at-the-shooting-field-1-7626300

1. Your Horsham Magazine - "Fletcher's Croft Fit Zone": https://www.yourmag.co.uk/news/fletchers-croft-fit-zone

1. Steyning Downland Scheme - “The Gateway”: https://steyningdownland.org/downland/the-gateway/