Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust

Charity 218627

www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust appears to be a long-lived, place-based civic institution that combines a protected housing role for older people with flexible grant-making across many aspects of local life. Its role is broader than hardship relief alone: it can direct surplus income toward education, health, heritage, faith, recreation, arts, sport and environmental activity. This suggests an organisation positioned as both a safety-net funder and a locally rooted steward of Sutton Coldfield’s social infrastructure.

See observations

Operational geography

Sources:ONSCivic AtlasAI-assisted
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Sutton Four Oaks

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's individual and organisational grant programmes operate across the Birmingham wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency. Birmingham City Council identifies Sutton Four Oaks as one of those eight wards. This supports a district-wide grant-making footprint, although the available evidence does not identify a current grant recipient or Trust-operated site specifically within this ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Individuals
    The Trust defines its area of benefit as the Birmingham City Council wards known as the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Four Oaks is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Mere Green

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Mere Green is one. The conclusion is about grant-service eligibility rather than a physical Trust site in the ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Organisations
    Applications must benefit residents and/or organisations in the Trust's area of benefit, defined as the Birmingham City Council wards known as the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Mere Green is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Reddicap

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Reddicap is one. The conclusion is about grant-service eligibility rather than a physical Trust site in the ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Organisations
    Applications must benefit residents and/or organisations in the Trust's area of benefit, defined as the Birmingham City Council wards known as the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Reddicap is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Roughley

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Roughley is one. The conclusion is about grant-service eligibility rather than a physical Trust site in the ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Individuals
    Anyone resident in the Trust's area of benefit for at least two years may apply for an individual grant if in need.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Roughley is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Trinity

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Trinity is one. The conclusion is about grant-service eligibility rather than a physical Trust site in the ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Organisations
    The Trust supports organisations and activities benefiting communities in the former Borough of Sutton Coldfield.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Trinity is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Vesey

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Vesey is one. The conclusion is about grant-service eligibility rather than a physical Trust site in the ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Individuals
    The Trust makes individual grants for essential domestic equipment, disability-related needs, post-school education, long-term health problems and other needs within its area of benefit.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Vesey is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Walmley and Minworth

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Walmley and Minworth is one. Lingard House is an evidenced direct operational site in Walmley, but the supplied evidence does not establish its ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Almshouses
    The Trust provides recently refurbished accommodation for older people at Lingard House in Walmley, comprising 46 properties with a 24-hour emergency call system, resident wardens and communal facilities.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Walmley and Minworth is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Sutton Wylde Green

Confidence: medium

Direct evidence shows that the Trust's grant programmes operate across the wards comprising the Sutton Coldfield constituency, of which Sutton Wylde Green is one. The conclusion is about grant-service eligibility rather than a physical Trust site in the ward.

  • Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Grants for Organisations
    Applications must benefit residents and/or organisations in the Trust's area of benefit, defined as the Birmingham City Council wards known as the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
  • Birmingham City Council, Sutton Coldfield constituency
    Sutton Wylde Green is listed as one of the eight wards in the Sutton Coldfield constituency.
Remaining uncertainties
  • The evidence supports a district-wide Sutton Coldfield operational identity, rather than citywide Birmingham coverage. However, it does not show the volume, value or frequency of grants currently reaching each individual ward.
  • The Trust may exceptionally fund organisations based outside Sutton Coldfield where they meet significant Sutton Coldfield need and there is no comparable local provision. This may create limited service delivery beyond the district, but the available evidence does not identify current external delivery locations and does not justify adding other Birmingham wards.
  • Individual grant applications are managed by an external provider, Our Place Support, on the Trust's behalf. The available evidence confirms this delivery partnership but does not identify whether it operates from a separate site or materially changes the Trust's geographic footprint.
  • Lingard House is both the charity's listed address and an evidenced almshouse site, so it should not be treated solely as a correspondence address. No other current Trust-operated physical sites are evidenced.
Additional evidence needed
  • A current ward-level grants-awarded schedule or annual-report appendix showing recipients, delivery locations and amounts by ward.
  • Confirmation from the Trust of whether any current commissioned or funded services are delivered outside the eight Sutton Coldfield wards under its exceptional funding provision.
  • Current details from Our Place Support or the Trust describing the geographic scope and delivery arrangements for the individual-grants service.

Areas of work

Source:Charity Commission
  • Accommodation/housing
  • Amateur Sport
  • Arts/culture/heritage/science
  • Disability
  • Education/training
  • Environment/conservation/heritage
  • General Charitable Purposes
  • Religious Activities
  • The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
  • The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty

Who they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Children/young People
  • Elderly/old People
  • Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
  • Other Defined Groups
  • People With Disabilities

How they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Makes Grants To Individuals
  • Makes Grants To Organisations

Discoveries involving this organisation

The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.

Observations

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

  • A housing anchor appears to underpin a wider civic role

    The Trust appears to have a dual operating model: maintaining almshouse accommodation is its primary enduring commitment, while surplus income enables a broad programme of local grants and benefits.

    Why it matters

    This helps distinguish the Trust from a conventional grant-maker. Its housing assets may provide institutional continuity while its grant-making allows it to respond to changing local needs.

    Show evidence

    • “The land identified for the charity must be retained for use as the homes of the charity.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    • “Any surplus income not required for housing may be applied to relief of need, education and wider charitable purposes.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    • “The Trust provides accommodation for older people of limited means and makes awards to individuals and community organisations.”

      Source:Organisation

  • The Trust functions as a cross-sector local enabler

    Its remit appears deliberately wide, allowing it to support both people facing immediate hardship and organisations sustaining community life, from schools and health providers to sports clubs, heritage sites and environmental groups.

    Why it matters

    This breadth may make the Trust an important connector across sectors that are often funded and organised separately. It may be especially well placed to notice gaps between individual need and the capacity of local institutions.

    Show evidence

    • “The objects include relief of need, school benefits, education, elderly people, distress and sickness, recreation, historic buildings, arts and religion.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    • “Grant awards support individuals and community organisations, including food banks and local sport.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “The Trust supports health, community development, amateur sport and the environment.”

      Source:Organisation

  • Place is both the Trust’s strength and its boundary

    The Trust appears designed to concentrate resources within Sutton Coldfield rather than pursue issue-based work across a wider geography. Its local legitimacy may therefore be a major asset, but its impact depends on how well it reaches less visible needs within that area.

    Why it matters

    A tightly defined area of benefit can support deep local knowledge and sustained relationships. It also raises useful questions about whether all neighbourhoods and communities within Sutton Coldfield have comparable access to its housing and grants.

    Show evidence

    • “The objects apply to persons resident in the area of benefit.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    • “The Trust aims to improve the quality of life for residents of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “Support is provided to allotments, parks and nature reserves within Sutton Coldfield's boundaries.”

      Source:Organisation

    Remaining uncertainties

  • How grant funding is distributed between individual relief, community organisations and the Trust’s different thematic priorities.
  • Whether particular communities, neighbourhoods or forms of need are underrepresented among beneficiaries.
  • How the Trust identifies emerging needs and coordinates with local authorities, schools, health services and voluntary organisations.

    Additional evidence needed

  • Recent annual reviews showing grant amounts, recipients, themes and changes over time.
  • Information on applicant demand, declined applications and unmet need.
  • Evidence of partnerships, referral routes and beneficiary outcomes for both almshouses and grant programmes.
Charity Commission profile
Source:Charity Commission

Activities

Within Sutton Coldfield : To provide Almshouses and related benefits for elderly beneficiaries. Make grants for the relief of persons who may be elderly, disadvantaged, disabled or in need of medical assistance. To provide special benefits to local education authority schools, places of worship, historic buildings and support community groups, recreation and leisure.

Charity objects

THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE: (A) THE PROVISION OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATION FOR BENEFICIARIES AND SUCH CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS AS THE TRUSTEES DECIDE. THE LAND IDENTIFIED IN PART I OF THE SCHEDULE TO THIS SCHEME MUST BE RETAINED BY THE TRUSTEES FOR USE AS THE HOMES OF THE CHARITY. ANY SURPLUS INCOME NOT REQUIRED FOR THE OBJECTS ABOVE SHALL BE APPLIED FOR THE OBJECTS BELOW: (B) THE RELIEF OF PERSONS RESIDENT IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT WHO ARE IN NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS. THE TRUSTEES MAY RELIEVE PERSONS IN NEED BY: (I) MAKING GRANTS OF MONEY TO THEM; (II) PROVIDING OR PAYING FOR GOODS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES FOR THEM; OR (III) MAKING GRANTS OF MONEY TO OTHER PERSONS OR BODIES WHO PROVIDE GOODS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES TO THOSE IN NEED. (C) PROVIDING SUCH SPECIAL BENEFITS OF ANY KIND, NOT NORMALLY PROVIDED BY A LOCAL AUTHORITY OR ACADEMY TRUST, FOR ANY SCHOOL IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT OR SUBSTANTIALLY SERVING THE SAME AS MAY FROM TIME TO TIME BE AGREED BETWEEN THE SCHOOL GOVERNORS OR ACADEMY TRUST (AS THE CASE MAY BE) AND THE TRUSTEES. (D) PROMOTING THE EDUCATION (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND EDUCATION IN RESPECT OF THE ARTS) OF PERSONS WHO ARE: (I) UNDER THE AGE OF 25; (II) IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; AND (III) RESIDENT IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT. (E) FOR THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF PERSONS RESIDENT IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT, IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS, EITHER DIRECTLY OR BY WAY OF DONATIONS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO INSTITUTIONS OR ORGANISATIONS WHICH APPLY OR WHICH UNDERTAKE IN RETURN TO APPLY THE WHOLE OR PART OF THEIR INCOME FOR SUCH CHARITABLE PURPOSES: (I) THE RELIEF OF THE ELDERLY WHO ARE IN NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS; (II) THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS AND SICKNESS; (III) THE PROVISION AND SUPPORT OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION AND OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION; (IV) THE REPAIR OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS; (V) THE PROMOTION OF THE ARTS; OR (VI) THE ADVANCEMENT OF RELIGION.