Uxbridge United Welfare Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £751,790 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Total Income: £1,006,809 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 48 hours notification after interview
• Grant Range: Not specified (primarily individual relief grants for white goods and essential furniture)
• Geographic Focus: Postcodes UB8, UB9, UB10 and surrounding areas (Uxbridge, West London)

Contact Details

Address: Ossulton Court, New Windsor Street, Uxbridge UB8 2TD

Phone: 01895 232976

Email: universal@uuwt.org

Website: www.uuwt.org

Registered Charity Number: 1181683

Overview

Uxbridge United Welfare Trust is one of England's oldest charitable institutions, having served the Uxbridge community for over 500 years. The charity operates as both a grant-giving organization and almshouse provider, with total income of £1,006,809 in 2024, predominantly from property investments (£599,933) and charitable activities (£406,307). The Trust's mission focuses on assisting “the most needy” within the former Urban District of Uxbridge, providing relief-in-need grants for essential household items, educational support through the Lord Ossulton Fund, and affordable housing for elderly residents. In recent years, the Trust modernized its approach, including purchasing 20 laptops for families during the pandemic lockdown and rebuilding their almshouse facility, Ossulton Court, which has been described as “a shining example of what a 21st century almshouse should be.” The organization employs 3 staff members and is governed by 7 trustees who receive no remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Relief Grants (Primary Focus)

• Essential household items: white goods (refrigerators, washing machines, cookers)
• Essential furniture: beds, tables, chairs
• Target beneficiaries: Residents on Universal Credit needing help to furnish or decorate homes
• Application method: Rolling basis via telephone or home visit
• Decision timeline: 48 hours after interview, with items ordered, delivered and installed as soon as possible

Lord Ossulton Fund (Educational Grants)

• Educational courses and retraining programs
• Apprenticeships
• Workforce reentry support
• Target: Enhancing learning potential of qualifying local applicants
• Grant amounts: Not specified

Community Groups and Smaller Charities

• The Trust accepts applications from smaller registered charities and community groups
• Specific grant amounts and program details not publicly disclosed
• Must serve residents within the area of benefit

Priority Areas

• Immediate financial relief for local residents in crisis
• First-time homeowners on Universal Credit requiring essential household items
• Educational advancement for local residents seeking to improve skills or reenter the workforce
• Elderly housing through their almshouse facility
• Community support during emergencies (e.g., laptop provision during pandemic lockdown)

Geographic Restrictions

Strict geographic limitation to postcodes UB8, UB9, UB10 and surrounding areas (the former Urban District of Uxbridge)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the following restrictions are implied:

• Organizations or individuals outside the defined geographic area
• Non-urgent or non-essential items
• Applicants who have previously received a grant (successful applicants cannot reapply)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• Evidence of living within the area of benefit
• Proof of nationality
• Proof of leave to remain within the UK
• Evidence of qualifying for Universal Credit (for individual relief grants)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (7 members, unpaid)

Susan James - Chairman

Former London Borough of Hillingdon councillor who accepted the trustee position to continue supporting local residents.

Ian Bocock - Vice Chair

Retired Chartered Surveyor with over 25 years of commercial property experience in Uxbridge.

Alan Morris - Treasurer

Chartered Accountant with over 40 years' experience based in Uxbridge, including work with charities of various sizes.

Andrew Longhurst - Trustee

Retired in 2016 after 25 years with Brent and Hammersmith housing departments. Joined UUWT to support the organization's housing development plans.

Peter Davies - Trustee

Former qualified accountant with senior retail industry experience. Holds non-executive directorships and serves as trustee of Vanguard Learning Trust in Hillingdon.

Leadership Quote

Chief Executive Dominic Gilham stated that the grants they give, along with housing the elderly in their almshouse, “really does make a difference in Uxbridge.”

Governance Structure

• 7 trustees (historically, 4 appointed by Hillingdon Council)
• 3 employees (one earning £90,000-£100,000 annually)
• No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits
• No trading subsidiaries

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Initial Contact:

• Phone: 01895 232976
• Email: universal@uuwt.org
• Online application form available at www.uuwt.org/grants/apply

Process:

1. Initial contact via phone, email, or online form
2. Complete application form with as much detail as possible
3. Trust responds “shortly” to discuss the application
4. Home visit or telephone interview conducted with all applicants
5. Trust completes all paperwork and offers advice during visit
6. Decision communicated within 48 hours

Application Frequency:

• Rolling basis throughout the year
• Applications considered monthly

Decision Timeline

• Interview to decision: 48 hours
• Delivery: Items ordered, delivered, and installed “as soon as possible” after approval
• Overall process: Described as “quick and simple”
• Immediate notification: Applicants “know straight away” during interview if the Trust can help

Success Rates

No publicly available data on application success rates or number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

Critical restriction: All successful applicants cannot be considered for future funding. This is a one-time grant policy.

Unsuccessful applicants: The policy does not explicitly prohibit unsuccessful applicants from reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Funder

• The Trust emphasizes they are “here to help” and want to make the process easy
• Applicants are encouraged to provide “as much detail as you can” on application forms
• The Trust completes paperwork on behalf of applicants, removing administrative burden
• Personal approach: “They were very understanding and genuinely wanted to help” (Christina, Hillingdon)

What Works

Demonstrated immediate need: The charity specifically states they will “only assist those in need of immediate financial help”

Clear geographic connection: Evidence of residence within UB8, UB9, or UB10 postcodes is essential

Universal Credit eligibility: For individual relief grants, being on Universal Credit strengthens applications

Essential items: Focus applications on genuine necessities rather than wants - white goods, beds, and basic furniture are explicitly mentioned as fundable items

Personal engagement: Be prepared for home visits or telephone interviews - this personal touch is central to their assessment process

Recent Funding Examples

• Pandemic response: 20 laptops purchased and delivered to families struggling with lockdown learning, working with 10 local schools
• Individual relief: Beds for toddlers, white goods, essential furniture (tables, chairs)
• Housing setup: Complete home furnishing for first-time residents moving into accommodation
• Educational support: Funding for courses, apprenticeships, and retraining (via Lord Ossulton Fund)

Language and Terminology

The Trust uses person-centered, compassionate language:

• “Most needy”
• “Relief in need”
• “Here to help”
• “Immediate financial help”
• Testimonials emphasize feeling “cared for” and supported

Common Reasons for Rejection

While not explicitly stated, likely rejection factors include:

• Living outside the defined geographic area
• Having previously received a grant
• Inability to demonstrate immediate need
• Lack of required documentation (proof of residence, nationality, leave to remain, Universal Credit status)

Tips for Standing Out

1. Be specific about immediate need: Explain why the assistance is urgently required
2. Provide complete documentation: Have all required evidence ready (residence, nationality, Universal Credit status)
3. Focus on essentials: Frame requests around basic necessities rather than desirable items
4. Be available for home visit: The personal assessment is key to their decision-making
5. Contact directly by phone: Given the emphasis on personal approach, a phone call may be more effective than online forms
6. For organizations: Clearly demonstrate how the grant will benefit residents within the UB8/UB9/UB10 postcodes
7. One chance only: Remember this is a one-time opportunity - make your case comprehensive and clear

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Hyperlocal focus: This funder has strict geographic boundaries (UB8, UB9, UB10) - applications outside this area will not be considered

• Individual relief emphasis: While they accept applications from charities and community groups, the overwhelming majority of their work appears to be individual relief grants for essentials

• One-time only funding: Successful applicants can never reapply - this is a critical factor for both individuals and organizations to consider

• Rapid decision-making: 48-hour turnaround after interview is exceptionally fast compared to most funders - be prepared to move quickly

• Personal assessment approach: Home visits or telephone interviews are mandatory - this isn't a paper-based assessment process

• Immediate need priority: The Trust explicitly states they only assist those with “immediate financial help” needs - long-term projects may not align

• No online-only option: Despite having a website, the personal touch (phone or visit) is central to their model - plan for direct engagement

• Strong investment income: With £599,933 from investments versus £406,307 from charitable activities, the Trust has a stable financial base independent of fundraising

References

1. Uxbridge United Welfare Trust official website - https://www.uuwt.org/

• Quote: “Applications are considered monthly”
• Quote: “All successful applicants can not be considered for future funding”

• Trustee information and biographies

• Quote: “If you are on Universal Credit, and need to furnish or decorate your home, please get in touch”

• Christina (Hillingdon): "I couldn't get help anywhere else until I found the Trust. They were very understanding and genuinely wanted to help"
• Alicia (Hillingdon): “The assistance the Trust gives to people on little or no income to set up your first home is vital. They provided me with a bed for my toddler”

• Financial data for year ending 31 December 2024
• Total income: £1,006,809
• Total expenditure: £923,969
• Charitable activities expenditure: £751,790

• Quote: “The grants allocated are for numerous different things to assist the most needy of the Uxbridge area, including white goods or essential furniture like beds or table and chairs”
• Quote: “Once applicants have had their interview, the Trust will let them know within 48 hours if they can help, then get the items ordered, delivered and installed as soon as possible”

• Historical context: “The Trust is now well over 500 years old and has been helping the most needy in Uxbridge in many forms for all that time”

• Quote from Dominic Gilham (Chief Executive): the grants and housing services “really does make a difference in Uxbridge”
• Information about Ossulton Court redevelopment

• “UUWT purchased and delivered 20 laptops to families struggling with lockdown learning, working with 10 local schools”