Young Westminster Foundation

Charity Number: 1169255

Annual Expenditure: £2.0M
City Of Westminster

Contact Info

Website:www.youngwestminster.com

Phone:07824 776701

Email:helen@youngwestminster.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,600,000 (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme (typically 8-10 weeks)
  • Grant Range: £5,000 - £20,000 (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: Westminster, London (some programmes extend to RBKC)

Contact Details

Website: www.youngwestminster.com

Email: helen@youngwestminster.com

Phone: 07824 776701

Grants Manager: Hazel Pedlar - hazel@youngwestminster.com / 07426 217044

Overview

Young Westminster Foundation was established in 2017 as a dynamic cross-sector charity supporting local youth clubs and organisations in Westminster. With total income of £2,189,047 in 2023/24, the Foundation operates as a membership organisation supporting over 100 youth organisations. Their mission is to ensure all young people in Westminster grow up healthy, safe and happy with the best opportunities for bright futures. The Foundation distributed £1.6 million in grants during 2023/24 through multiple funding streams, including the Brighter Futures Fund (£387,946), Helping Hands Community Fund, Holiday Activities and Food Programme, and Westminster City Council's Half Term Activity Fund. Since inception, they have grown to support over 200 organisations and distributed over £2 million to local projects. The Foundation received a 10% increase in corporate funding in 2023/24, growing from £157k to £172k, demonstrating strong partnership support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Brighter Futures Fund: £5,000 - £20,000

  • Open to YWF members only
  • For new or existing programmes benefiting children and young people aged 0-25 in Westminster
  • Covers project costs, activities, venue expenses, or capital equipment
  • Application via online SurveyMonkey form
  • Fixed annual deadline (typically early November)
  • Funding surgeries offered before deadline
  • Made available by Westminster City Council and corporate/funding partners

Helping Hands Community Fund: Up to £5,000

  • Community-led grants initiative addressing serious youth violence
  • Total £90,000 available annually
  • Open to organisations and individuals with community guarantor
  • Focus on prevention and intervention for youth violence
  • Rolling application process
  • Panel of local community members makes decisions
  • Contact: helpinghands@youngwestminster.com

Community Solutions Grants Programme: £15,000 - £30,000 (over 2 years)

  • Improving mental health awareness in Global Majority Communities
  • Targeting children, young people (up to 25), families
  • Total £640,000 available over 2 years
  • Open to organisations in Westminster and RBKC
  • Application via Plinth platform
  • Fixed deadlines with “Meet the Funder” events

YWF Small Grants Programme (Core Funding): Up to £8,000

  • Partnership with John Lyon's Charity
  • Core operational funding (salaries, communications, governance)
  • For non-charity organisations only (CICs, CLGs, unincorporated groups)
  • Annual turnover must be under £200,000
  • YWF members only
  • Fixed annual deadline

Priority Areas

  • Physical, mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people aged 0-25
  • Prevention and intervention for serious youth violence
  • Employability and life skills development
  • Community cohesion and place-based work in specific Westminster wards (Church Street, Westbourne, Harrow Road, Queen's Park)
  • Mental health awareness in Global Majority Communities
  • Youth empowerment and voice - co-design of services with young people
  • Cultural connections and access to opportunities
  • Projects that respond to local need and emerging issues

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside Westminster (except specific programmes open to RBKC)
  • For Small Grants Core Funding: Registered charities and supplementary schools
  • Projects not directly benefiting children and young people aged 0-25
  • Projects without track record of delivery in Westminster
  • Applications from non-members (for most programmes - membership is free)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Brian Bickell - Chair of Trustees
  • Jackie Rosenberg - Vice Chair of Trustees
  • Robert Gilbert - Treasurer
  • Carol Archibald - Trustee (Director of Programmes at Avenues Youth Project)
  • Jayne Vertkin - Trustee
  • Cllr Karen Scarborough - Trustee
  • Rashma Rahman - Trustee

Senior Leadership Team

Helen Mann, CEO: Took over as CEO in September 2022, having been YWF's Development Director since 2017. Worked in the charity sector for 15 years supporting local charities and community projects in disability and health sectors. Previously at Healthwatch CWL championing residents' voices. Helen emphasizes: “We are a consistent supporter, friend and funder for all YWF Members” and “We are an active listener for local young people and youth workers, responding to emerging needs.”

Nora Loewenberg, Director of Programmes: Joined YWF in March 2019, previously worked at a membership organisation for Community Foundations in Berlin.

Nicola Cadbury, Director of Communications and Engagement

Hazel Pedlar, Grants Manager: Primary contact for grant applications

Zahid Nawaz, Business Development Lead: Strengthens corporate partnerships

Elysse Graves, Membership Manager

Laurie Poole, Evaluation & Data Specialist

Mahla Axon, Youth Voice Consultant

Marium Uddin, Programme Lead

Patron

Cllr Hamza Taouzzale - Previous Lord Mayor of Westminster 2022/23

Key Funders

Westminster City Council (£430k in 2022/23), The Mercers' Company (£110k), Shaftesbury Capital (£75k), The Kusuma Trust, St Giles and St George, Eyre Estate, John Lyon's Charity, The Aziz Foundation, Berkeley Estate Asset Management, British Land

No trustees receive remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Membership Requirement: Most funding opportunities require free YWF membership. To become a member:

  • Must provide regular provision for children and young people in Westminster (aged 0-25)
  • Have track record of delivery in the borough
  • Demonstrate commitment to effective governance and quality standards
  • Attend regular member meetings and complete annual surveys
  • Applications online at youngwestminster.com

Brighter Futures Fund:

  • Online SurveyMonkey form (cannot save and return)
  • Recommended to prepare answers in advance
  • Funding surgeries offered (typically 2 sessions before deadline)
  • Applications open: Early October
  • Deadline: Early November (10am)
  • Panel meeting: Mid-December
  • Notification: Mid-late December

Helping Hands Community Fund:

  • Rolling basis throughout the year
  • Contact helpinghands@youngwestminster.com for application form
  • Community-led panel review

Community Solutions Grants Programme:

  • Application form via Plinth platform
  • Optional “Meet the Funder” event
  • Applications typically open: February
  • Deadline: Early March

YWF Small Grants Programme:

  • Downloadable application form
  • Fixed annual deadline (typically September)

Decision Timeline

  • Brighter Futures Fund: 8-10 weeks from deadline to notification
  • Helping Hands: Varies, community panel review
  • Community Solutions: Approximately 6-8 weeks from deadline
  • Small Grants: Varies by programme cycle

All grant funded projects must be completed within 12 months of award or agreed start date (Brighter Futures Fund).

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly published. However, the Foundation distributed £1.6 million across multiple programmes in 2023/24, with the Brighter Futures Fund alone distributing £387,946. Examples of funded organisations include Westbourne Park Family Centre (Skills For Life project), Adventure Play Hub, Greenhouse Sports, Cardinal Hume Centre, DreamArts, Octavia Foundation, and Treasure Boxing Club.

The Helping Hands Community Fund distributed £80,000 over two years funding 17 place-based projects across Church Street, Westbourne, Harrow Road and Queen's Park wards.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published on the website. The Helping Hands Community Fund notes that “preference may be given to organisations which have not been funded multiple times through YWF grant funding,” suggesting unsuccessful applicants can reapply but repeat funding may be scrutinized. Contact the grants team for guidance on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Foundation

Helen Mann, CEO: “Let us know how we can best support you so that we in turn can make the best use of our resources and funding.”

The Foundation emphasizes:

  • Youth co-design: Projects should involve young people in planning and delivery
  • Responding to local need: Demonstrate understanding of Westminster's young people's needs through their annual peer-led needs analysis report “Our City, Our Future”
  • Track record: Show evidence of delivery in Westminster
  • Collaboration: Willingness to work in partnership with local Youth Hubs and other members
  • Quality standards: Commitment to effective governance and following Charity Governance Code best practice

Key Language and Terminology

The Foundation consistently uses:

  • “Bright futures” and “life-changing opportunities”
  • “Community-led” and “place-based”
  • “Youth voice” and “co-design”
  • “Responding to emerging needs”
  • “Consistent supporter, friend and funder”
  • Reference to being “active listeners”

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

  • Westbourne Park Family Centre: Skills For Life project supporting families in North Westminster
  • Cultural Connections: Pilot providing 300 free West End tickets for youth club attendees
  • Mastering My Future: Employability programme preparing young people for work
  • Holiday Activities and Food Programme: Over 70 organisations delivering cricket, basketball, swimming, music, drama, educational trips

Standing Out Tips

  1. Engage with the community: Attend funding surgeries, member meetings, and “Meet the Funder” events
  2. Become a member early: Free membership provides access to most funding plus training, data/insight, and networking
  3. Show youth involvement: Demonstrate how young people have shaped the project
  4. Use local evidence: Reference YWF's needs analysis reports and local data
  5. Be specific about Westminster: Show understanding of borough-specific challenges and communities
  6. Consider partnership working: Projects involving multiple members or strategic partners
  7. Think holistically: Address physical, mental health, emotional wellbeing together
  8. Small organisations welcome: Specific programmes designed for grassroots organisations with turnover under £200k

Common Success Factors

  • Being an active YWF member who attends meetings and engages with the community
  • Projects addressing priorities identified in peer-led needs analysis
  • Strong youth voice and co-design elements
  • Clear outcomes for children and young people aged 0-25
  • Realistic budgets and timelines (12-month completion)
  • Track record in Westminster, even if small-scale

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Membership is essential and free - Join Young Westminster Foundation before applying to access most funding opportunities plus valuable training, data, and networking that will strengthen your application.
  1. Youth voice is non-negotiable - Demonstrate how young people have been involved in designing and will be involved in delivering your project. Co-design is a core value.
  1. Use local evidence - Reference YWF's annual “Our City, Our Future” peer-led needs analysis and demonstrate understanding of Westminster-specific challenges and communities.
  1. Engage before applying - Attend funding surgeries, member meetings, and “Meet the Funder” events. The team values relationships and wants to support applicants: “Let us know how we can best support you.”
  1. Think strategically about which programme fits - Multiple funding streams with different purposes (project delivery, core costs, mental health focus, violence prevention). Choose the best match for your work.
  1. Small organisations are welcomed - Specific programmes designed for grassroots organisations with turnover under £200k. Don't be intimidated by the £1.6m annual distribution - grants range from £5,000-£20,000.
  1. Be responsive to emerging needs - The Foundation prides itself on being “active listeners” responding to local issues. Show how your project addresses current challenges young people face in Westminster.

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References

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