Thomas Wilson Educational Trust

Charity Number: 1003771

Annual Expenditure: £0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £91,736 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by need)
  • Geographic Focus: Teddington and surrounding areas (Richmond upon Thames, Surrey)

Contact Details

Website: https://thomaswilson.uk/

Email:

  • General enquiries: info@thomaswilson.uk
  • Applications: applications@thomaswilson.uk

Phone: 07786554010

Postal Address:

TWET, c/o Christ Church House, 65 Elmfield Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8BX

Alternative address for applications:

The Secretary, Thomas Wilson Educational Trust, 94 Oldfield Road, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2HR

Overview

The Thomas Wilson Educational Trust was established in 1867 through a Conveyance and Trust Deed, with its current form shaped by schemes from 1980 and 1990. Registered as charity number 1003771 in 1991 (previously known as “The Teddington Educational Charity”), the trust originated from Christ Church, Teddington, which founded a school in 1866. In 1986, when a 50-year lease expired and buildings reverted to the church, the Charity Commission established TWET to use building income for educational purposes. The trust now generates income by renting out its original buildings as a nursery and has distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants to local young people. With an income of £239,289 and expenditure of £91,736 in 2024, the trust operates entirely through volunteer trustees and has no paid staff. Its mission is to promote the education (including social and physical training) of persons under 25 who are resident in Teddington or the neighbourhood and who are in need of financial assistance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates three main grant streams for individuals:

Over 18s Grants: Supports university students with living costs, books, and equipment (does not cover university tuition fees)

Under 18s Grants: Funds additional educational activities including music lessons, dance classes, and uniform costs

School Residential Trips: Helps fund school trip expenses for children

All grants are awarded annually and require reapplication each year. Applications can be submitted via online form (preferred) or downloadable paper forms.

Priority Areas

The trust supports a broad range of educational needs for young people from lower-income families:

  • Musical education: Instrument lessons (piano, trombone, and other instruments)
  • University support: Living costs, books, and equipment for higher education students
  • Physical and recreational activities: Swimming lessons, dance classes
  • School trips: Educational residential trips
  • Educational materials: Outfits, clothing, tools, instruments, books
  • Travel: Transport for educational purposes
  • Professional preparation: Support for career development

The majority of grant recipients are primary-age children, though the trust supports all ages under 25.

What They Don't Fund

The trust explicitly excludes:

  • University tuition fees
  • Private school fees
  • Any expenses already covered by statutory grants or public funds
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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by three volunteer trustees:

  • Rev D Stockford
  • Sharon Kay
  • Marianne Malam (contact: marianne.malam.flp@gmail.com)
  • Trevor Wright

The trust operates with 5 volunteers in total and no paid employees. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity has no trading subsidiaries and maintains an up-to-date reporting record with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Preferred Method: Online application via https://thomaswilson.uk/apply

Alternative Method: Download paper application forms from the Downloads section of the website

Required Supporting Documents (email to applications@thomaswilson.uk):

  • Passport photos
  • Reference letters (applications require referees)
  • Financial proofs
  • Separate supporting letter recommended for special circumstances (e.g., disability, achievements)

Age-Specific Requirements:

  • Applications for those under 18 must be completed by parents/guardians
  • Different application forms exist for different grant types (Over 18s, Under 18s, School Residential Trips)

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The trust reviews applications on an ongoing basis, with all applicants and applications thoroughly discussed by the trustee committee. Applicants should contact the trust directly for information about current processing times and committee meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by the trust.

Reapplication Policy

Grants are awarded for one year only. Fresh applications can be made for each year of a course or activity to sustain a student's needs. Receiving a grant for one year does not guarantee that a subsequent grant will be awarded. The trust notes that “the decision of the committee as to the grant being made, or not being made, shall be final and although the committee may give general reasons for their decision they shall not be bound to do so.”

Application Success Factors

While the trust does not publish detailed guidance on what makes applications successful, the following factors can be inferred from their stated priorities and eligibility criteria:

Geographic Requirements: Applicants must be resident in the specific catchment area covering Teddington, the Hamptons, parts of Twickenham, parts of Kingston, Whitton, and Ham. Demonstrating clear residency in this area is essential.

Financial Need: The trust explicitly supports those “in need of financial assistance” from “lower-income families.” Applications should clearly demonstrate financial need and explain why the requested support would otherwise be unaffordable.

Educational Merit: Applications should demonstrate how the funding will support educational development, including social and physical training. The trust values activities that promote personal development alongside academic achievement.

Statutory Funding Gap: Since the trust only funds expenses “not covered by statutory grants or public funds,” applications should clearly explain what public funding has been explored and why it doesn't cover the requested expense.

Strong References: The trust requires referees for all applications, suggesting that credible references from teachers, community leaders, or other professionals may be important.

Supporting Documentation: The recommendation to include supporting letters for special circumstances (disability, achievements) suggests that comprehensive documentation strengthens applications.

Age Appropriateness: While supporting all ages under 25, the trust notes that “the majority of those they support have been primary age children,” suggesting particular receptiveness to applications for younger children.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Know your geography: The trust has a specific catchment area around Teddington - confirm your client's residency clearly falls within Teddington, the Hamptons, Twickenham, Kingston, Whitton, or Ham
  • Demonstrate financial need: This trust explicitly targets lower-income families, so applications should include clear evidence of financial circumstances and why the expense is otherwise unaffordable
  • Fill the gap: Only apply for expenses not covered by statutory funding - clearly document what public funding has been explored and why it doesn't meet the need
  • Plan for annual renewal: Grants are for one year only with no guarantee of renewal, so multi-year activities require annual reapplication with fresh justification
  • Accept finality: The trustee committee's decisions are final and they may not provide specific reasons for rejections, so focus on making the strongest possible first application
  • Emphasize educational development: Frame requests around how they promote education broadly defined, including social and physical training, not just academic achievement
  • Leverage the primary focus: While supporting all under-25s, the trust particularly serves primary-age children, so applications for younger children may align especially well with their track record

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