Smith’s Charity
History
The Henry Smith Charity (Charity number 200128) (https://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk) has been helping combat disadvantage and poverty since 1628. The Charity is one of the largest grant making charities in Britain; making grants of over £30 million in 2017.
The ongoing success of the charity is largely thanks to his foresight and understanding of the value of land. It was however, after his death that his trustees were to make the most important acquisition; the purchase for £2,000 in the 1640s of a marshy estate of mainly market gardens just outside London, in the parish of Kensington.
Henry was an astute businessman and left a detailed Will as to how his estate was to be administered. The Charity still honours this benefaction and a separate fund makes grants to relieve poverty in some 200 specific parishes named by Henry and his early trustees.
The parish of Bramley is one of these parishes. Members of the Parish Council are the Trustees of the Bramley branch of the Henry Smith Charity and have a small fund to help those in need who live in the parish of Bramley.
Present Day
The Henry Smith Charity in Bramley benefits from an annual grant from the national charity which is available to needy people within the Bramley Parish boundary. It’s aim is to help support people in need right across the spectrum whether they are young or old, alone or with families or the less mobile members of the community. The needs may have changed since Henry Smith’s day but there are always cases where a little extra help can make a big difference. In addition to grants for specific expenditure, vouchers that can be used in the local shops are distributed at Christmas time.
Grant Applications
Grant applications for individuals or families must be proposed by a community organisation such as a school, church, the Citizens Advice Bureau, charity, or other community group (e.g. Brownies, Scouts, etc).
If you are part of a community organisation and know of anyone who is really struggling financially, particularly in the current climate, please use the application form below to see if the charity can help by awarding a small grant. All discussions will be in the strictest confidence.
Please note a successful application does not imply any ongoing support commitment by the charity.
Smith Charity Application Form
As applications received directly from residents cannot be accepted, those who are facing financial hardship and do not have a link with a community organization are requested instead to contact the Parish Clerk at [email protected] for further guidance or Bramley Helping Hand who may be of assistance.