Gillian Dickinson Trust

The trust funds arts, culture, heritage, children and youth, and community development projects. It supports creative workshops, performances, and participatory initiatives that enable young people to develop skills and confidence. It also funds projects offering rural experiences, such as outdoor learning or countryside visits, for those who might otherwise miss out due to disability, social deprivation, or urban isolation. All work must take place within Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and County Durham. The emphasis is on direct, hands-on participation that fosters creativity and enriches the lives of underserved young people.

The trust supports small, registered charities that are based in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, or County Durham and deliver their work within the same region. It prioritises organisations that serve children and young people, particularly those facing barriers such as disability, social deprivation, or urban isolation. The trust is especially interested in charities that can provide high-quality arts experiences or rural opportunities for those who would otherwise miss out. Applicants should be grassroots organisations with a strong local connection.

The trust does not fund national organisations, non-arts activities, or broader social services. It also does not support projects that fall outside its geographical focus of Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and County Durham. Activities that are not directly related to the arts or rural experiences for young people are excluded.

The trust provides grants to support specific projects that align with its aims. It funds project costs such as workshops, performances, and rural experiences. Grants are made to small, registered charities within the region. The trust welcomes applications that demonstrate direct, hands-on participation for young people.