Frequently Asked Questions

Click on Our Team to see information about our Trustees

The full Board of WHF Trustees meets once a year in October at their Annual General Meeting (AGM). All funding decisions are made at this meeting. In addition, a sub-committee of three Trustees meets once a year, prior to the AGM, to consider applications to the Young Person’s Fellowship and make recommendations to the Board.

The original Westham House Adult Residential Centre in Barford was closed by Warwickshire County Council in 1997 and the building was sold. The proceeds were used to set up the Westham House Fund and were invested to create a modest, sustainable income which enables WHF to provide grants.

The amount of money available is directly related to the success of our investments. The income generated from these investments varies from year to year and therefore the amount available to distribute in grants varies from year to year.

WHF supports organisations to provide non-vocational educational opportunities or well-being activities for adults. See our Testimonials page for some examples of recent projects we have funded.

Through its Young Person's Fellowship, WHF also supports individuals aged 16-25 to participate in non-vocational experiences that will enhance their educational horizons. You can read the feedback from our most recent fellows on the Meet Our Fellows page.

All projects must be for adults (defined as persons over the age of 16 years) living, working or studying principally within, but not limited to, the County of Warwickshire.

Our grant awards to organisations can range from £500 - £10,000 depending on the number of eligible applications we receive and the total amount of funds available in any given year. Funds are limited and the amount available varies from year to year. It is important that you state clearly in your application the amount you are requesting together with the total cost of the project, which may be different.

Our Young Person's Fellowship awards are usually a maximum of £500 each.

Non-vocational means not relating to a particular job or profession or not leading directly to qualifications. Therefore, any educational activity or course which is required by your job or which leads to specific academic qualifications would not be eligible for funding from WHF.

We support educational activities which are undertaken purely for interest or for reasons relating to your well-being, and these activities should take place outside your normal job or academic studies.

Yes, so long as you are at least 16 years of age and the project, venture or experience you wish to undertake is non-vocational, you can apply for funding.

Yes, so long as you are 16-25 years old and the project, venture or experience you wish to undertake is non-vocational, you can apply for funding.

Yes. If you apply to us before your experience takes place, we will consider your application. However, as you will not hear the result until May, you should not rely on receiving an award.

No.

Yes. Whilst our support focuses principally on projects or individuals based in the County of Warwickshire, grants can be awarded outside the county at the discretion of the Trustees.

No, there is no application form. Please go to our Grants page or Fellowship Information page for full details of the documents we would like you to send to us. The requirements are slightly different for Grants and Fellowships so please look at the instructions on the appropriate page.

No, it is not yet possible to submit your application online. However, it is possible for you to send your application to us by email at westhamhousefund@gmail.com

Yes. Grants are awarded once a year so it is very important to apply by the following deadlines:

Grants to Organisations: Send your application to the Clerk by 31 August and it will be considered at the AGM in October. For detailed information on how to apply, go to our Grants page.

Grants to Young People: Send your application to the Clerk by 30 April and it will be considered by a committee of Trustees. For detailed information on how to apply, go to our Fellowship Information page.

Grant applications from organisations will be evaluated by the Trustees of the Westham House Fund at their AGM in October. A decision will be reached at this meeting; the Trustees' decision is final.

If you are applying for a Young Person's Fellowship, your application will be evaluated by a sub-committee of Westham House Trustees shortly after the application deadline and awards will be made; the Trustees' decision is final.

For Grants to Organisations, approximately 8 weeks. If you apply by the deadline of 31 August you will hear the result of your application shortly after the October AGM.

For Young Person's Fellowship Awards, approximately 4 weeks. If you apply by the deadline of 30 April you will hear the result of your application by the end of May.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.

For Grants to Organisations: your application will be circulated to Westham House Trustees for consideration and a final decision will be made at the AGM in October.

For Young Person's Fellowship Awards: your application will be evaluated by a sub-committee of Westham House Trustees and awards will be made by the end of May.

Grants to Organisations: you will hear the result of your application shortly after the AGM in October.

Young Person's Fellowship Awards: you will hear the result of your application by the end of May.

We comply with current GDPR legislation. For information on how we use and store your personal details, click the policy button in the footer to access our privacy policy. .

Over the years we have helped more than 30 organisations to offer non-vocational adult education in the community. See our Testimonials page for examples of the organisations we have helped recently.

Unfortunately we cannot accept retrospective applications for grants to organisations.

Please contact our Clerk for assistance. You can reach her by telephone (via the Percival Guildhouse) Tuesday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. Just ring 01788 542467. Alternatively, you can email westhamhousefund@gmail.com.