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About the Battens Charitable Trust
The Battens Charitable Trust (registered charity no. 293500) was set up in 1985 to enable grants to be made to registered charities and for charitable purposes in Somerset, Dorset and adjoining counties.
In the last decade alone, the trust has donated approximately £537,000 and counting. Beneficiaries have been as diverse as local schools, youth organisations, hospitals and hospices, local foodbanks, wildlife organisations, disability groups and the arts.
Some of the charities and organisations we have helped:
- St Margaret's Hospice, Joseph Weldmar and Julia's House Children's Hospice, funding nurses and carers for those with life-limiting conditions
- Sherborne, Wareham, Yeovil, Dorchester foodbanks as well as community support Initiatives
- Dorset and Somerset schools
- Yeovil Hospital, Yeatman Hospital and Dorset County Hospital
- Somerset and Dorset Mind supporting local people with mental health challenges
- Dorset Wildlife Trust, supporting its educational activities and conserving wildlife in the area.
The trust is administered free of charge by Battens Solicitors so that more of the money can be used to support local causes.
How to apply
If you wish to apply for a donation, please note that we can only receive applications using this form
Please note the trustees meet 3 times a year to discuss applications. This is February, May and October.
Please send in your applications for the 1st of the month for February, May and October.
How to donate
If you would like to support the Battens Charitable Trust, some people choose to make a legacy in their Will, while others prefer to make regular or one-off donations.
If you wish to leave a legacy to the Charitable Trust within your Will, please contact the Wills and Trusts Team in any of our offices, who will be happy to discuss your requirements in further detail. We may be able to offer the preparation of the Will, free of charge, under our free will scheme.
If you would like to make a donation, please visit our Battens Charitable Trust Just Giving page or if you would prefer to make regular donations then please email bct@battens.co.uk or call 0800 652 8373.
“Sherborne Primary School, cannot thank the Battens Charitable Trust enough for all they have done for us over the many years of their support. We have utilised their funding by buying sports prizes all the way to funding Christmas Food Boxes for our families in need. I cannot thank the Trust enough for their generosity and kindness. It is truly appreciated.”
“I just wanted to let you and your fellow Trustees know how grateful we are for the donation we received to support our frontline staff at the height of the pandemic. It enabled us to run an enhanced wellbeing programme throughout the pandemic, offering staff a rage of support to get them through the most difficult time in their professional lives. THANK YOU!!”
“The Battens Charitable Trust has transformed sensory provision at BOP, specialist early years provision. Their kind donation enabled us to purchase equipment that creates awe and wonder and can be used in different spaces to meet the diverse needs of children.”
“Home-Start West Dorset is grateful for the donation received from the BCT, it has gone directly to support families in need in the local area. Donations make a big difference to small charities such as HSWD and go much further than the donation its self. The added publicity ensure families and volunteers know we are there to help them.”
“The role that local funders like the Battens Charitable Trust play in this is absolutely essential. Without their support we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
“Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity is thrilled to have received support from Battens Charitable Trust. With their generous help we are increasing our vital support for local children and adults with dyslexia and other related specific learning difficulties. Together we can help them reach their full potential in education, employment and life.”
“Battens Charitable Trust have helped us bring a changing community together at a particularly important time as we come out of Covid. Their support has also enabled us to invest in the future of Somerset’s unique carnival arts through workshops and our Children’s Carnival and in turn give money to other often overlooked local charities. Many towns are finding it increasingly hard to put on a Carnival procession, Batten’s support helps us show carnival spirit is alive and well in Castle Cary. We are extremely grateful that the company chooses to give back to its community.”
“Since the pandemic, the Sherborne Food Bank has faced unprecedented demand for the support it offers to families and individuals in financial need. This generous cash donation from the Battens Charitable Trust will enable the food bank to source food supplies direct from supermarkets and wholesalers to make up the shortfall in donations, thus ensuring that it can continue to be a ‘helping hand to the hungry.”
“The Battens Charitable Trust has made a huge impact to Julian House’s work supporting those who are facing homelessness, escaping domestic abuse, recovering from addiction and more. Their contributions this year have been enough to pay for 840 meals at our hostel.
Julian House operates more than 40 different projects, accommodation sites and social enterprises across South West England. These include our homeless outreach services, a 20-bed emergency access hostel and various support services – helping over 2,000 individuals a year.
The support of BCT helps us to help those we support to rebuild their lives.”
“The Wareham foodbank is so thankful for your kind donations over the last few years.
This has enabled us to purchase fresh food which compliments the tinned and packet food we distribute.
Thanks again for your support.”
“Dorset County Hospital Charity is immensely grateful to the Battens Charitable Trust for its generous and consistent support over the years. Their significant donations to our Dementia, Cancer and Chemotherapy Appeals contributed towards the ultimate success of these important projects and directly helped to improve the lives and experience of our patients and their families at Dorset County Hospital”
