Magdalen and Lasher Charity

The Magdalen and Lasher Charity, one of Hastings' oldest institutions tracing its roots to 1294 and reinforced by Thomas Lasher's 1691 bequest, is dedicated to preventing and relieving poverty and supporting the elderly among Borough of Hastings residents and those with strong local ties. Governed by Charity Commission schemes and ex-officio trustees from the local parish church and Hastings Borough Council, it embodies Christian values of dignity and community care through a distinctive dual approach: running the Old Hastings House residential care home, providing regular pensions to over 200 elderly residents, discretionary hardship grants to individuals and families, and funding local organisations for outreach, welfare advice, and practical relief.

It prioritises alleviating poverty, hardship, and social isolation for older people at risk of exclusion, vulnerable families, and those identified by agencies like social services or Citizens Advice—funding one-off projects tackling food poverty, emergency needs, Universal Credit advice (e.g., grants to HARC and Hastings Thrives), and advocacy services that supplement, not replace, statutory support.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities and community groups operating exclusively in Hastings, with a preference for small, grassroots organisations addressing basic needs; individuals require three years' residency, means-testing, sponsorship by a referral agency, and proof of exhausted other supports. Typical organisational grants range from £100-£3,000 (up to £5,000 for key projects), with individual amounts varying by need.

Applications are accepted rolling via downloadable forms or letters from the website, assessed by the General Grants Committee with no fixed deadlines—decisions made year-round. Exclusions cover debt repayment, legal fees, most funeral costs, and vehicles; its hyper-local focus, historic endowments, and integrated community governance set it apart as a cornerstone of Hastings' welfare fabric.