The Woodward Charitable Trust’s Summer Play Schemes Grant programme awards small one-off grants of between £500 and £1,000 to small, locally-based UK registered charities with an annual turnover of under £100,000.

The Trust sets aside a budget every year for summer play schemes that take place during the long summer holidays for disadvantaged children between the ages of 5-16. Grants are made to charities that run summer play schemes for a period of at least 10 days or more. Play Schemes should be inclusive and encourage integration by accepting those of differing abilities, social and ethnic backgrounds. Applications from charities that encourage past users to come back as volunteers are particularly welcomed. The Trust endeavours to ensure its funding is distributed across the UK.

Preference for the 2022 grant scheme will be given to:

o Play schemes catering for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or who have a disability.
o Play schemes that involve a large number of children.
o Play schemes where past users are encouraged to come back and help as volunteers.
o Small local play schemes that provide a wide-ranging programme of activities. Trustees prefer activities that are relatively inexpensive such as crafts and cooking, as well as outdoor activities and sport, and
o Trips that are educational and motivational or relate to the natural environment such as to the seaside or countryside.

Further information, guidelines and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.

The deadline for applications is midday (12 noon) on Friday 8th April 2022.