Grant Applications Open for 10th Annual Weston Charity Awards

SHOREDITCH, U.K. - Nov. 15, 2023 - PRLog -- The Weston Charity Awards celebrate and support ambitious front-line charities working in Community, Welfare, Youth, and Environment. This year is the 10^th anniversary of the transformational support package worth over £22,000 to small charities in the North of England, Midlands, and Wales.

Through the Weston Charity Awards, unrestricted grants of £6,500 are available for up to 22 charities to develop a strategic sustainability plan and accelerate innovative growth. Successful charities also gain free access to the Pilotlight 360 programme - a ten-month package of leadership coaching worth an estimated £16,000.

East Midlands homelessness charity, One Roof Leicester, was one of the lucky Weston Charity Awards winners in 2022. The charity empowers communities to help people who are homeless to rebuild their lives. Manager Salma Ravat said:

"Since completing the Pilotlight 360 programme we have a new long-term strategy at One Roof Leicester. Through the process we were able to fully involve all our trustees and staff. As a result, they clearly understand the vision, ambitions, and development plans we have for the next five years but also are much more committed to achieving these. This has also given us greater clarity and focus for our communication, marketing and fundraising strategies."

Alongside grants, award winners receive an unrivalled package of leadership mentoring from four senior professionals across diverse private and public sector organisations. These empathetic "Pilotlighters" offer in-depth expert coaching on everything from creative operational efficiencies to sustainable long-term business strategies that take an organisation to the next level.

Last year's Weston Charity Award winners provided critical services to 48,541 people. The charities worked across various areas, including domestic violence and sexual abuse, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), social inclusion, alcohol and drug advisory services, environmental impact, ex-offenders, care work, refugee action, and adoption and carer support.

Registered charities over two years old (with at least one paid full-time member of staff in a leadership position) and an income of less than £5 million per year are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 5 pm on Wednesday, 10 January 2024.

Find out more about the Weston Charity Awards by attending a free Zoom session. Register for an online session or see full award entry criteria at www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards