University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2,300,000 (charitable activities expenditure)
• Total Income: £3,267,000
• Decision Time: 1-4 weeks for grants up to £15K; longer for larger grants
• Grant Range: £250 - £50,000+
• Geographic Focus: Bristol city centre and Weston-super-Mare hospitals
• Projects Funded: 340 projects approved annually

Contact Details

Website: www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk

Email: hello@bwhospitalscharity.org.uk

Phone: 0117 927 7120

Grant Enquiries: Contact the Grants Team through the main email

Overview

University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity (charity number 1170973), formerly known as Above & Beyond, was established in 1974 and has raised over £109 million since its founding. The charity serves as the official charity partner for ten hospitals within the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), including Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Eye Hospital, St Michael's Hospital, and Weston General Hospital. With an annual income of £3.27 million and charitable expenditure of £2.3 million, the charity focuses on funding projects that go “above and beyond” core NHS provision. The charity operates with 28 employees and 85 volunteers, and is governed by 14 trustees who receive no remuneration. The charity emphasizes creating “little things that make a big difference” while also supporting major innovations in healthcare.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants (Under £250)

• Processed on a rolling basis
• Quick turnaround time
• Examples: arts and crafts materials, period packs, staff training materials

Project Grants (£250 - £15,000)

• Decisions made at weekly/fortnightly meetings
• Most common grant type
• Typical range: £1,000 - £10,000

Medium Grants (£15,000 - £50,000)

• Reviewed by Finance & Grants Committee
• Longer decision timeline
• Require Divisional Director support (for grants over £5,000)

Large Grants (Over £50,000)

• Require Trustee Board approval
• Strategic projects only
• Extended decision timeline

Special Grant Categories:

• Engagement/Event Grants
• Conference/Training/Meeting Grants (maximum two staff members per conference)

Priority Areas

1. Enabling Healthcare for All

• Young people transitioning to adult care
• Learning disability and autistic populations
• Mental health and maternity care
• Nearly £800,000 funded in equitable access projects

2. Healing Environments

• Ward refurbishments and redesigns
• UHBW Arts programme support
• Dementia-friendly spaces
• Calming environments through design, artwork, and lighting

3. Supporting Older People (65+)

• Rehabilitation programmes
• Engagement activities
• Dementia-supportive spaces and gardens

4. Innovation and Change

• Emerging technologies and treatments
• Advanced medical equipment (4D scanners, heart pumps)
• Research initiatives
• Cutting-edge diagnostic tools

What They Don't Fund

• Core NHS provisions
• Retrospective funding (projects already completed)
• Individual patient support or hardship grants
• Mandatory staff training
• Staff social events
• More than two staff attending the same conference
• Laptops for standard work purposes
• Projects without clear patient benefit
• Projects that would create negative public perception

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Governance and Leadership

Senior Management Team

Katie Walker - Chief Executive Officer

• Responsible for strategic and operational direction
• Liaises with Trustee Board and UHBW Leadership Teams

Jen Davies - Director of Finance

• Oversees financial operations and grant processing

Sarah Pryer - Director of Fundraising and Marketing

• Leads fundraising strategy and communications

Trustee Board

• 14 trustees oversee governance
• No trustees receive remuneration or benefits
• Board approval required for grants over £50,000

Key Departments

• Grants Team: Processes all funding applications from UHBW staff
• Brand and Marketing Team: Manages awareness and communications
• Finance Team: Processes donations and financial transactions

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Applications accepted from UHBW NHS staff only

Six Key Questions - Applicants must answer “yes” to all:

1. Does the project fall within the charity's funding programmes?
2. Is the request for future funding (not retrospective)?
3. Have you attempted funding elsewhere first?
4. Is there clear patient benefit?
5. Is the project beyond NHS core provision?
6. Will the project be viewed positively by the public?

Application Requirements:

• Line manager email support (all applications)
• Cost evidence (quotes or screenshots)
• Divisional Director support for grants over £5,000
• Submit through online application form on charity website

Application Method: Rolling basis through online portal at www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk/our-grants

Decision Timeline

Grants up to £15,000: 1-2 weeks

• Reviewed at weekly/fortnightly grant meetings

Grants £15,000 - £50,000: 3-4 weeks

• Finance & Grants Committee review required

Grants over £50,000: 6-8 weeks+

• Trustee Board approval required
• Strategic alignment assessment

Notification: Email confirmation with Grant Approval (GA) number upon approval

Success Rates

Based on available data:

• 340 projects approved annually
• Success rate estimated at 60-70% for eligible applications meeting all six criteria
• Higher success rates for smaller grants (under £15K)

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants may reapply
• No specific waiting period mentioned
• Encouraged to address previous feedback
• Can resubmit with revised proposals addressing initial concerns

Application Success Factors

What the Funder Values

Patient-Centered Impact: Projects must demonstrate clear, measurable benefit to patients. The charity emphasizes “little things that make a big difference” - both transformative innovations and small comforts matter.

Going Above and Beyond: Funding is specifically for enhancements beyond standard NHS provision. Applications should clearly articulate why the NHS cannot fund the project through core budgets.

Strategic Alignment: Projects aligning with one or more priority areas (Healthcare for All, Healing Environments, Older People, Innovation) have higher success rates.

Recently Funded Project Examples

• Complimentary therapies (reflexology, reiki, massage) for cancer patients
• Sensory bags with ear defenders, chew toys, and eye masks for children's hospital
• Snowdome Bereavement Spaces at St Michael's and Weston General (£800K investment)
• Dementia-friendly gardens with horticulture therapy at BRI and Weston General
• Enhanced Care Observation Matron position (12-month funding)
• Yoga sessions for NHS staff (1,500+ participants)
• Plasma jet equipment for ovarian cancer treatment
• Virtual reality sets for children during long hospital stays
• Free hospital shuttle bus service
• 4D scanners for prenatal care

Application Tips

1. Evidence Other Funding Attempts: Demonstrate you've explored other sources first
2. Quantify Patient Benefit: Use specific numbers and clear outcomes
3. Provide Accurate Costs: Include quotes or screenshots showing realistic pricing
4. Secure Line Manager Support Early: This is mandatory and shows organizational buy-in
5. Match to Priority Areas: Explicitly link your project to one or more funding priorities
6. Consider Public Perception: Projects should be defensible to donors and the public
7. Think Long-Term Impact: Show how the project creates “long-lasting ripples of change”
8. Start Small if New: First-time applicants may find success with smaller grant requests

Common Reasons for Rejection

• Retrospective requests (already completed projects)
• Core NHS responsibilities that should be funded through standard budgets
• Lack of clear patient benefit
• Insufficient evidence of attempting other funding sources
• Missing line manager or Divisional Director support
• Poor public perception potential
• Individual patient hardship requests

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• NHS Staff Only: This charity exclusively funds projects proposed by UHBW NHS staff - external organizations cannot apply
• Strategic Fit is Critical: Align explicitly with one or more of the four priority areas (Healthcare for All, Healing Environments, Older People, Innovation)
• Size Appropriately: Smaller grants (under £15K) have faster turnaround and likely higher success rates; start here if building a relationship
• Patient Benefit Must Be Clear: The charity needs to demonstrate impact to donors - vague benefits won't succeed
• Document Your Funding Journey: Show evidence of attempting other sources; the charity sees itself as enhancing, not replacing, core funding
• Build Internal Support First: Line manager approval is mandatory; Divisional Director support required for larger grants demonstrates organizational commitment
• Think Beyond Equipment: While medical equipment is funded, the charity particularly values projects addressing equity, environment, and patient experience - the “softer” impacts that transform care

References

1. Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity - Grant Application Page: https://www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk/our-grants
2. Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity - What We Fund: https://www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk/what-we-fund
3. Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity - Your Impact: https://www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk/Pages/Category/your-impact
4. Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity - Our Staff: https://www.bwhospitalscharity.org.uk/our-staff
5. Charity Commission - University Hospitals Bristol & Weston Charity (1170973): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1170973&subid=0
6. UHBW NHS Trust - Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity Information: https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/about-us/our-charities-and-fundraising/bristol-weston-hospitals-charity/