Wakefield charity accepting applications for community grants: How and where to apply

A Wakefield-based charity has tens of thousands to allocate via community grants. Submitted picture

This Wakefield-based charity has tens of thousands to allocate via community grants … here’s everything you need to know about them, and how to apply.

A charity which awards money to local residents with an enduring mental health issue or learning disability is inviting applications for the 2023 round of grants.

The Charity of Joseph Harrison says it is often unaware of people with diagnoses, and the help they need, which is why the charity chair, Wendy Plummer, has re-iterated: “If you don’t ask, we don’t know what you need,’’ charity chair Wendy Plummer said.”

By offering financial support to people with ongoing needs, the charity hopes to make a real difference.

Wendy added: “I think mental health is a growing problem everywhere with the ever-changing pressures of modern life and changes to the benefits system.’’

About the grants

The applications are as varied as the recipients themselves … perhaps the money is needed for household furniture, driving lessons, or a holiday. Whatever the need, the charity can allocate been £500 and £1800 to help make a difference. As the cost-of-living crisis bites, people are often asking for financial support to cover things that would be classed as basic requirements, like beds, mattresses or fridges.

Over the past year nearly 100 grants were given to community groups or individuals living in or around Wakefield and it are expected that around £60,000 will be allocated this year.

About the charity

It’s named after Joseph Harrison who a friend of the first medical director of Stanley Royd Asylum in Wakefield. He donated £5000 to buy land so that the patients at that hospital could work the land, giving them gainful employment and fresh food.

The charity was set up in 1841 to also aid patients and their families on discharge as often the patients returned to a life of abject poverty, unable to pay rent that ended up in families living on the street, and operated in that form for over 100 years. When the land was sold off in the early 2000s the charity was allocated some of the proceeds, which they invested and use the dividends to continue to help those in the community.

Do you qualify?

Recipients must have a diagnosed mental health or learning disability, and can either apply themselves, have a carer or loved one apply, or be helped by a local group to apply. However, the charity has tried to make the application process simple, with two basic criteria required. Recipients must pay their council tax to Wakefield Council and recipients must have a diagnosed, enduring mental health or learning disability.

How to apply?

There’s no complicated form or online process, just send a single A4 sheet with your name, address, phone number, disability to the charity’s PO box number. Add in what disability you have and what you would use the grant for and how it would benefit your life. Photocopies of evidence of disability will be required.

Despite low interest rates affecting revenue the charity expects to hand out more than £60,000 in grants this year.

Applications close for the latest round of grants on September 30. The charity Trustee Board will meet in November to consider all applications with cheques sent to recipients before Christmas.

To apply, or find out more details, go to https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/the-charity-of-joseph-harrison