Florence Turner Trust

The Trust funds social welfare programmes and community initiatives aimed at children and young people, including youth development, volunteering projects, after-school activities and skills training. It supports elderly care services such as befriending, day services and work to prevent social isolation. Disability support covers access to arts, literature and therapeutic activities for visually impaired people, those with physical disabilities and people with learning disabilities. Family support and carer respite are also funded, alongside practical interventions like peer support groups, outreach services, drop-in centres and community-led events that promote inclusion and mental health wellbeing. Emphasis is placed on direct service delivery, including counselling, mentoring, creative arts, outdoor activities and preventative community programmes tackling poverty, social isolation and vulnerability in everyday local settings across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Trust welcomes applications from registered charities and community groups. It prioritises small, locally embedded organisations that serve the priority groups above and can demonstrate clear community impact. Groups must be rooted in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland and deliver hands-on services to local residents. Work led by or involving local people is especially valued, as are partnerships that strengthen community cohesion. Applicants will be expected to show how their project meets immediate needs in their community.

The Trust does not fund direct grants to individuals without professional referrals from social services or NHS Trusts. It also excludes large national organisations lacking local relevance, and projects that do not yield clear community impact. Work outside Leicestershire and Rutland would not be considered.

The Trust favours small, embedded charities and community groups, providing versatile, unbureaucratic support for locally sustained efforts. It works through authentic local partnerships and values evidence of tangible, grassroots-driven change. Funding priorities sit with vulnerable groups’ immediate needs rather than broad national agendas.