Voluntary Action Westminster

Applicants to this fund must be pupils or ex pupils of secondary schools in the City of Westminster or the London Borough of Camden. In 2009, the Foundation made grants to schools and individuals up to a total of £50,988.00.

The income of the Foundation can be applied in the following ways:

(a) In giving financial help to children and young men and women who are or have been pupils at any secondary school in the City of Westminster or the London Borough of Camden and who need financial assistance to pursue their higher or further education or to travel for educational purposes. The Trustees are required to pay particular regard to the needs of former pupils of the St Marylebone Grammar School.

(b) In providing or helping to provide special benefits, including facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation at schools in the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Camden which are county, voluntary or grant maintained schools within the meaning of the Education Acts 1944 to 1988. The Trustees are required to pay particular regard to the needs of county or voluntary schools and also the needs of schools in the former Borough of St Marylebone.

(c) In giving educational prizes or awards to pupils at schools referred to in (b) above.

(d) in providing financial assistance, outfits; clothing, tools, instruments or books to assist children and young persons qualified under (a) above to prepare for or enter a profession, trade, occupation or service on leaving school, university or other educational establishment.

Application forms for schools and individuals are available from the Clerk to the Trustees. Individuals must send proof that they attend, or have attended, a secondary school in the City of Westminster or the London Borough of Camden. All applicants are asked to apply well ahead of the time when a grant is needed as Trustees place great emphasis on the need to consider applications with care. Late applications are discouraged and may well be postponed or refused.

The committee meets six times a year in January, February, April, July, September and December.