The main object of the Trust is “to relieve either generally or individually persons resident in the area of the Ancient Parish of Whitchurch who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.”

 

The management of the Trust, which is set out in its governing document, is by a board of eight trustees. The vicar of All Hallows Church is a permanent ex officio trustee, four others are appointed for four years by the Town Council, and three are co-opted for five years by the chairperson. The trustees are all voluntary appointments. Finally, there is the Clerk to the Trustees, who is not a trustee, and receives a small honorarium. The Clerk maintains the secretarial records.

 

The trustees work with Citizens Advice, local churches, schools and other groups to identify individuals who are in need. The trustees also encourage applications for financial assistance from young people and mature students starting courses of study or training. Total investment income is currently in the region of £16,000 pa. At Christmas, the Trust distributes some of its income in the form of food vouchers to individuals in need, and monetary grants to local community organisations. The balance of the income is awarded to individuals in the form of education and hardship grants throughout the year. The size of the grants awarded varies considerably depending on individual circumstances but will typically range from £50 to £500. The Trust advertises in the Parish Magazine every month, and on the Town website. Information leaflets are displayed in local churches, the Town Hall, and the library. One of the objectives of the trustees is to make the work of the Trust as widely known as possible in the local community.

 

The Trust’s investments are managed by a national investment management company based in London. The Trust Accounts are subject to annual examination by local accountants Wheeler & Co. Copies of the annual accounts and governing document are available from the Clerk on demand. Details of the Trust’s constitution etc. can also be viewed on the Charity Commission website. For the future, the Trust’s objectives include maintaining the value of the investments in real terms, while continuing to fully support its charitable activities. This may also involve attracting additional endowments from time to time, through making the Trust’s activities better known. Richard Woollaston made his bequest “soe long as any of my estate lasts” and part of the Trustees’ responsibilities are to the hand the Trust over to the next generation in as sound a financial state as possible.