The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund was set up in 1973, succeeding an existing charitable fund.  We decided that the Fund’s principal aim should be to support people in trouble, particularly young offenders and ex-offenders, as well as other disadvantaged young people.  Preference is given to pump-priming new projects, especially those that are innovative and can serve as a model elsewhere.

Projects which fulfil the funding criteria are short-listed, then visited by a member of the Company. These assessment visits give our younger members in particular an opportunity to become closely involved in the charitable work of the Company, which may lead to a mutually beneficial relationship with its beneficiaries.

These assessments inform the Charitable Grants Committee, helping it decide on the grants to be awarded and the amount allocated. The Committee meets three times a year.