The Edward Gostling Foundation
Overview
As part of their commitment to spend out they have chosen a number of Legacy Partners to work with to help them to bring about a step change to the lives of people living with a disability or long-term illness
They are now seeking applications for Capital Grants from other UK registered charities for funding towards major projects costing £1M or more that, when delivered, will support their Vision that “people living on a low income who have a disability or long-term illness should have as many as possible of the same choices, quality of life opportunities and aspirations as others more fortunate than themselves”.
Capital Grants
Through their Capital Grant Programme they seek to encourage UK registered charities to bring forward major capital projects aligned with one or more of their 4 themes that will build new capacity, promote sustainability and bring about step change in the way care is provided. Capital projects are defined as the construction and fitting out of new buildings and/or extensions to existing buildings costing at least £1M. They do not fund operating costs under this programme.
Decisions under this programme can take 90 days and grants of up to £250K are available but amounts will vary depending on the size and scope of the project. Trustees may however award more for projects they believe are truly innovative.
Who Can Apply
We accept applications from Charities/CIO’s that have been registered with and regulated by a UK Charity Commission for at least 3 years regardless of their size.
Funding Themes
They like their grants to have a significant impact across one or more of their 4 life “themes” and priority is given to organisations that clearly demonstrate this within their application for grant funding.
1) Health and Wellbeing
In this theme they are looking to support partner charities in providing access to community facilities offering support services that maintain, improve and advance the health and welfare of people living with disabilities and/or long-term illnesses.
Grants will support:
- information providing, guidance, advice, training and moral and emotional support to individuals and their families and carers
- centres that provide clinical services including therapies and medical provision (e.g. physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, pilates etc. access to counselling and early intervention services
- independent hospices and care homes
2) Independent Living at Home
People living with disabilities and/or long-term illnesses prefer to live independently at home. It creates less stress and anxiety and generally aids their overall health and well-being. In this theme they are looking for charity partners that need funding to support people who wish to remain living in their own home for as long as is practically possible. Grants should help support:
- safe and independent access around the home
- equipment to aid getting in and out of chairs, beds and bathrooms easily and independently
- communication and access to the external community
- people to go outside, use community facilities and generally enjoy and feel part of family life
3) Respite
Through this theme they wish to recognise the fantastic and hugely important work undertaken by the family care giver. The physical, emotional and financial consequences for a carer can be overwhelming without some support. They are looking for partner charities providing facilities in the UK where either the person living with a disability and/or long-term illnesses or the individual caring for them can go to access sports and leisure activities or simply enjoy fun, friendship and the opportunity to socialise and share with others who may be in a similar situation.
Taking a short break from the responsibility of caring for a loved one or being afforded a break with the knowledge that the person they care for is being well looked after at a safe and caring specialist respite provider, will ultimately prove to be beneficial to the health and well-being of the family caregiver.
4) Transition
Transition is a journey through education, training or personal development into employment, long-term volunteering or other meaningful day time activity, leading to independence, affordable housing and/or supported living. They want their grants to work towards these goals by providing the fundamental life skills and infrastructure necessary to allow people to reach their full potential in all areas of life and to become a valued member of their local community.
An example of some of the outputs they would expect to see from their grant support across this theme:
- education, training, coaching and development to promote independent living and/or support to help people into paid work, vocational services or volunteering
- affordable housing and/or supported living in the local community
- day services supporting people with general life skills e.g. computing, cooking, arts and crafts.