Torbay And South Devon Nhs Charitable Fund

Charity Number: 1052232

Annual Expenditure: £0.8M

Geographic Focus: Devon, Torbay

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Quick Stats

Annual Income: £1,050,000
Annual Expenditure: £803,000 (charitable activities)
Charity Type: NHS Charitable Fund (internal grant-maker)
Geographic Focus: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Beneficiaries: NHS patients, families, and staff within the Trust
Registered Charity: 1052232

Contact Details

Address: Room 11, Hengrave House, Torbay Hospital, Lowes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA

Phone: 07557 481459

Email: tsdft.charity@nhs.net

Website: https://charity.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk

Social Media: Facebook and Instagram (@TorbayAndSouthDevonNHSCharity)

Overview

Torbay and South Devon NHS Charitable Fund (registered charity number 1052232) was established on 24 January 1996 as the official charity of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. With an annual income of £1.05 million and charitable expenditure of £803,000 (year ending March 2024), the charity operates as an internal grant-maker, funding equipment, projects, and support services that enhance NHS care beyond core funding. The charity employs 22 staff members and is supported by 100 volunteers.

Unlike traditional grant-making trusts, this NHS Charitable Fund primarily serves departments, staff teams, and patient groups within Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. The organization's stated purpose is “any charitable purpose relating to the NHS, specifically of the Torbay and South Devon NHS area, to provide equipment and amenities, improve conditions for care and other benefits for the advancement of the health of patients and help make staff more effective in delivering healthcare.”

The charity operates under the governance of the NHS Foundation Trust acting as Corporate Trustee, with a dedicated Charity Committee overseeing grant distribution and strategic priorities.

Funding Priorities

What They Fund

The charity provides funding for projects and equipment that go “above and beyond” standard NHS provision, including:

Patient Care Enhancement

Medical equipment for hospital wards and departments
Specialized equipment (e.g., twin cots for Special Care Baby Unit, scalp cooling machines for chemotherapy patients)
Patient comfort items (e.g., sleeper chairs for parents staying with hospitalized children)
Support programs for patients and families (e.g., yoga sessions for breast cancer patients, bereavement resources)

Staff Wellbeing and Development

Training and professional development opportunities
Staff wellbeing initiatives
Morale-boosting projects and activities

Environmental Improvements

Enhancement of hospital and community healthcare environments
Creation of outdoor spaces (e.g., children's ward outdoor area)
Amenity improvements for patients and families

Community Health Programs

Support for young adult carers (ages 16-25)
Activities promoting mental wellbeing and resilience
Partnership programs with local organizations

Recent Funded Projects (2022-24)

2023-24:

Two Paxman Scalp Cooling Units for chemotherapy patients (£20,000)
'Moving On' support groups for breast cancer patients (weekly yoga, meditation, and art sessions)
Young adult carers sailing adventure (week-long voyage for six carers)
Louisa Cary Ward outdoor space creation (funded through NHS Charities Together)

2022-23 (£146,000 total):

Weekly yoga sessions for breast cancer patients
Bereavement keepsake hearts for families experiencing baby loss
First twin cot for Special Care Baby Unit
Young adult carers activities (drop-in sessions, sailing, outings)
Parent sleeper chairs for children's ward

What They Don't Fund

As an NHS Charitable Fund, they explicitly do not fund:

Core NHS services or budget deficits
Items that should be funded through standard NHS budgets
Personal items for individuals (outside specific hardship programs)
Organizations or projects outside Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
External community organizations (except in specific partnership arrangements)

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Governance and Leadership

The charity operates under a unique governance structure where the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust serves as the Corporate Trustee. The Charity Commission records indicate one trustee on record with the Charity Commission, with a note that “one or more trustees receive payments or benefits from the charity for providing services to the charity.”

Charity Committee:

Chair: Liz (also serves on People and Finance and Performance Committees)
The Charity Committee oversees funding decisions and strategic direction

Operational Team:

22 staff members dedicated to charity operations
Fundraising & Partnerships Manager (primary contact for funding inquiries)
100 volunteers supporting fundraising and charity activities

Financial Structure:

The charity received income from multiple sources in 2023-24:

Donations and legacies: £593,000
Charitable activities: £421,000
Investments: £36,000
Government grants: £108,426

How to Apply to Torbay And South Devon Nhs Charitable Fund

How to Apply

Important Note: This charity does not accept applications from external organizations. Torbay and South Devon NHS Charitable Fund operates as an internal NHS charity, making grants exclusively to departments, staff teams, and programs within Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

For NHS Staff and Departments:

While no public-facing application process is documented on the charity's website, NHS staff and departments within the Trust can request funding by:

Contacting the charity team directly via tsdft.charity@nhs.net or 07557 481459
Accessing internal application forms through the Trust's intranet system (not publicly available)
Working with department managers or fund holders to submit requests

Based on common NHS charitable fund practices, applications typically require:

Clear rationale for the funding request
Detailed cost breakdown demonstrating value for money
Explanation of how the project goes “above and beyond” standard NHS provision
Details of how the funding will benefit patients, families, or staff

For External Organizations:

The charity does not make grants to external organizations. However, they may enter into specific partnerships for programs that directly benefit Trust patients or staff (e.g., young adult carers programs delivered in partnership with local organizations).

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timelines are publicly documented. NHS charitable funds typically operate on a rolling basis, with decisions made by the Charity Committee or designated fund holders depending on the grant amount.

Based on similar NHS charities:

Smaller requests (under £5,000) may be approved more quickly by fund holders
Larger requests (over £5,000) typically require Charity Committee review
Complex or strategic projects may take several months for full review and approval

Funding Tiers

Specific funding tiers are not published, but funded projects range from:

Small equipment purchases (individual items under £1,000)
Mid-range projects (£5,000-£20,000 for specialized equipment)
Major initiatives (£20,000+ for significant environmental improvements or equipment)

Application Success Factors

For NHS Staff Seeking Funding:

Demonstrate “Above and Beyond” Impact: Clearly articulate how the project enhances care beyond what standard NHS budgets provide. The charity website emphasizes: “We do not replace core funding, we enhance what is already available, providing additional support that improves services.”

Show Direct Patient or Staff Benefit: Successful projects demonstrate tangible improvements to patient experience, clinical outcomes, or staff wellbeing. Examples include the breast cancer yoga sessions (patient wellbeing), scalp cooling machines (reducing treatment side effects), and sleeper chairs (family comfort).

Provide Comprehensive Costings: Applications should include detailed, realistic cost breakdowns demonstrating value for money and efficient use of charitable funds.

Align with Trust Priorities: Projects that support the Trust's vision of “Better Health and Care for All” and address identified needs are more likely to succeed.

Consider Partnership Opportunities: The charity values programs that leverage external partnerships or resources, such as the young adult carers program developed with local organizations.

Think Holistically: Successful projects often address multiple aspects of care - physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing - rather than focusing solely on equipment purchases.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This is NOT a traditional grant-making trust: External organizations cannot apply for funding. This charity exclusively supports internal NHS Trust projects, departments, and staff
For NHS staff only: If you work within Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, contact tsdft.charity@nhs.net to discuss funding opportunities
Substantial funding available: With £803,000 in annual charitable expenditure, the charity can support both small equipment purchases and major strategic initiatives
Enhancement, not replacement: All funded projects must go “above and beyond” standard NHS provision - core services should be funded through NHS budgets
Patient and staff focus: Projects benefiting patient experience, clinical outcomes, staff wellbeing, or environmental improvements are prioritized
Internal application process: Access to application forms and procedures is available through the Trust's internal systems, not publicly advertised
Partnership approach: The charity works collaboratively with departments and may support programs delivered in partnership with external organizations when they directly benefit Trust patients or staff