The Philip Bates Trust
Charity 1094937
Overview
Summary
The Philip Bates Trust appears to be a small, legacy-rooted arts education funder and opportunity-maker for people under 25. Its role is distinctive not simply because it supports young artists, but because it combines financial support with public recognition and platforms for performance or exhibition. The available evidence suggests it operates across both individual talent development and the wider settings—schools, groups and workshops—that make creative participation possible.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Sutton Trinity
Confidence: medium
The Trust's website advertises its forthcoming Touch of Basil 2026 event at Holy Trinity Church, Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham City Council's planning record identifies Holy Trinity Church as being in Sutton Trinity ward. This is clear evidence of a planned Birmingham delivery venue, although the event is future-dated and the available evidence does not establish a permanent or routinely used Trust site there.
- The Philip Bates Trust website
The website lists Touch of Basil 2026 at Holy Trinity Church, Sutton Coldfield, on 3 October 2026, indicating a planned performance opportunity or fundraising/activity venue in Birmingham. - Birmingham City Council planning record for Holy Trinity Church, Sutton Coldfield
The council record places Holy Trinity Church in Sutton Trinity ward.
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission records Birmingham City as one of the places where the Trust operates, but do not identify the Birmingham neighbourhoods, schools, groups, grant recipients or projects supported.
- The available evidence does not show that Holy Trinity Church is a permanent Trust base, a formal delivery partner, or more than a venue for the announced October 2026 event.
- No current grant register, impact report or annual report describing individual awards and supported projects was available; the Trust was not required to file accounts and a trustees' annual report for the 2024 financial year.
- The registered address is in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, and should not be treated as a Birmingham operational site. The Charity Commission also records that the Trust does not own or lease land or property.
Additional evidence needed
- A current list of grants, awards, workshops and concert locations, including recipient organisations and schools.
- Confirmation from the Trust or Holy Trinity Church that the October 2026 event will proceed and of the Trust's role in delivering it.
- Details of any continuing Birmingham venue arrangements or formal partnerships that host Trust-funded activity.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
Who they help
- Children/young People
How they help
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A bridge between individual talent and arts infrastructure
The Trust appears to support young people both directly and indirectly: through awards to individuals and funding for projects or workshops delivered by organisations. This may position it as a connector between emerging artists and the schools, youth groups and community settings that develop them.
Why it matters
This suggests its potential influence extends beyond isolated grants. Understanding whether it strengthens local arts provision as well as individual confidence would clarify its place in the wider youth arts ecosystem.
Show evidence
“The charity makes grants to individuals and makes grants to organisations.”
Source:Charity Commission“The Trust supports young people through awards, grants, and performance opportunities.”
Source:Organisation
Recognition is part of its development model
The Trust appears to treat artistic development as more than financial access: awards, concerts, exhibitions and other public opportunities may be intended to build confidence, visibility and motivation alongside skills.
Why it matters
This distinguishes the Trust from a purely grant-making funder. Its value may lie partly in validating young people’s creative work and giving it an audience.
Show evidence
“The Trust provides platforms for young performers through concerts, exhibitions, or collaborative projects.”
Source:Organisation“The Trust focuses on encouraging talent, boosting confidence, and creating opportunities.”
Source:Organisation
A memorial origin may shape a relationship-centred identity
Founded in memory of Philip Bates, the Trust appears to be motivated by personal legacy as well as charitable purpose. This may help explain its emphasis on encouragement, generosity and opening doors rather than narrowly defined artistic outcomes.
Why it matters
Legacy-led organisations can hold distinctive local relationships and values. This may affect how the Trust chooses beneficiaries, partners and opportunities.
Show evidence
“The Philip Bates Trust was founded to honour the life of Philip Bates from Castle Bromwich, Birmingham.”
Source:Organisation“The Trust aims to continue the encouragement, generosity, and love of the arts that defined Philip’s life.”
Source:Organisation
- The scale, frequency and geographical reach of grants, awards and events are not stated.
- It is unclear which art forms, communities or barriers to participation receive priority in practice.
- There is no evidence of current partner organisations, beneficiary outcomes or selection criteria.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent grant and award lists, including recipient age, location, art form and amount.
- Annual reports or accounts showing expenditure, delivery model and repeat partnerships.
- Evidence from beneficiaries and funded organisations about outcomes and unmet demand.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Musical concerts and supporting young people in the Arts
Charity objects
TO ADVANCE EDUCATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 25 IN THE ARTS BY: 1. THE PROVISION OF AWARDS TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THEIR PURSUIT OF CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND; 2. THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PROJECTS OR WORKSHOPS WHICH AIM TO DEVELOP CREATIVE AND ARTISTIC INTERESTS AND SKILLS IN YOUNG PEOPLE.