Grants for Dunwich Residents

Here to help YOU

Dunwich Town Trust (DTT) is charged by The Charity Commission to apply the income from the assets which derive from the original endowment fund for: ‘the relief of persons resident in the area ... who are in need, hardship or distress' by:

  • making grants of money
  • paying for goods, services or facilities
  • making payments to others who provide goods, services or facilities to those in need.

Any resident in Dunwich can ask for such assistance if they have a particular need.

What is ‘need'?

Years ago, ‘need' or ‘hardship' meant very different things than they do now - ‘need' would have meant starvation or hypothermia from lack of fuel. Today, ‘need' has a much wider definition, and whereas DTT can't give grants for luxuries, it can try to make up for a lack of something which nowadays would be considered a necessity.

Some examples of the ways DTT can help

Under the constitution of the Trust assistance and financial support can be given for essential needs such as:

  • educational or training expenses to improve job prospects or independent living
  • travelling costs
  • Winter Fuel and Grants
  • medical expenses (not covered by the NHS)
  • Contact care alarms for the elderly
  • home help - for the elderly and infirm
  • help towards the cost of ‘tools of trade'
  • emergency funds in dire unforeseen circumstances
  • any other necessary costs that the individual or family may find difficulty in meeting.

How decisions are made and follow-up

The DTT is run by an elected body of local voluntary Trustees to work for the benefit of the residents of Dunwich.

Each application for assistance will be considered in confidence on its individual merits, taking account of the resources available. The Trustees have absolute discretion in making the decisions, with or without attaching conditions. Trustees are required to show that the DTT's resources are being effectively managed and that there is no potential for misuse of moneys granted so DTT will need to see evidence of how the grant is spent (receipts, bills etc). Where this is more difficult, such as educational grants, DTT will ask for alternative evidence, such as a report or letter from a course tutor, confirming attendance and progress.

How to apply

Standard application forms are available from the Clerk or can be downloaded below. The DTT has tried to make the form as simple as possible, and it includes some details about yourself, your circumstances, what you'd like the grant for, and how much it will cost and whether you can make a contribution to the cost. If you would like help in filling out this form, the Clerk can direct you to one of the Trustees. The information you give on this form will help the Trustees come to a decision quickly and fairly.

2025 Individual Grant Application Form

2025 Educational Expenses Grant Application Form

 

 

 

 

Any information given will be treated in absolute confidence.

 

Application forms must be received by the Chairman not less than two weeks before a Trust Committee Meeting for consideration at that meeting. Late applications will be held over until the next scheduled meeting.

 

The full policy document relating to the administration of grants and payments is available, on request, from the Chairman