Organisations supporting people in challenging circumstances across South Lakeland and Westmorland can apply for grants of up to £20,000 from the Frieda Scott Charitable Trust.

In 1973 the trust was created after the death of Frieda Scott, the wife of local businessman and philanthropist Francis C Scott, who supported those with the most pressing needs in the area during her lifetime.

In recent years around £300,000 has been awarded each year across the Westmorland and South Lakes area.

“The money can be used in a number of ways with previous recipients including Kendal based Manna House and Temple Sowerby’s Victory Hall,” said director Helen Carter.

Manna House support the homeless, the vulnerably housed or lonely.

Chief officer Andrea Aldridge described what a difference grants have made to them.

“We work with a lot of people that wider society has given up on,” she said.

“Frieda Scott have stood by us for years as we adapt our skills program and focus on genuinely relevant and meaningful services for our clients.

“Our Learning Kitchen and Wednesday Workshops, made possible with the generous support of the Frieda Scott Trust, expand service users’ horizons. They help them grow in confidence and engage in social activity.”

Dr Gavin Young from Temple Sowerby Victory Hall said a grant in 2018 allowed them to renovate downstairs rooms which had become almost unusable due to damp and a very uneven floor.

“In 2020 a further grant meant we were able to put in a stairlift giving wheelchair users and those with limited mobility access to the main hall,” he said.

“A hundred years on after the hall was built, the main hall is at last available to all. Without the grants from FSCT neither of these projects would have been possible.”

Ms Carter said the trust welcomes enquiries from both well-established and new groups who directly deliver programmes and services for the benefit of local communities.

To be eligible, organisations should be either registered charities, formally constituted groups or not for profit organisations providing demonstrable community benefit across the South Lakeland District area or the old county of Westmorland.

“The application process starts with a phone call, to discuss plans and eligibility,” she said.

“And we’ll help throughout the process.”

Anyone interested in applying for funding should call Celia Forsyth, at Stricklandgate House Kendal on 01539 742608 or email her at celia@fcsct.org.uk.