The Gloucestershire Society
Caring for Gloucestershire since 1657
The Gloucestershire Society was founded in December 1657 by fifty Gloucestershire gentlemen (wealthy merchants), who lived in Bristol. Their aim was to distribute some of their wealth through the charitable foundation, which became known as The Gloucestershire Society, to those of Gloucestershire birth, who had fallen upon hard times.
To this very day, The Gloucestershire Society keeps to the original goals of those fifty Gloucestershire gentlemen and distributes small grants to those in need in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and Bristol, north of the River Avon, providing them with immediate help. We accept grant applications from support and welfare agencies, but not from individuals directly.
Please support The Gloucestershire Society with donations. Our charity replies upon your generous support to be able to help those in need in the Ceremonial County of Gloucestershire. Due to our lean structure and volunteers, our administrative costs are very small, so that the vast majority of donations go directly to the people who need your help.
The President's Message 2022
The sudden rise in prices is a real crisis.
Many people will suffer.
As ever, the poor will suffer the most.
We can help them.
This is a wonderful place to live – for many – but not for everyone. Many of our neighbours live in dreadful poverty and some young people are highly vulnerable. An unexpected change in circumstances can tip them from ‘just coping’ to ‘crisis’.
The Gloucestershire Society is a charity. We have helped people in Gloucestershire and Bristol for 365 years. This year our work is even more important.
The aftermath of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine has caused the sharpest rise in the cost of living for over 30 years and it is hitting the poorest people the hardest. So far this year our volunteers have experienced a 30% increase in requests for help - and we are determined to rise to the challenge – with your help.
It is hard to believe that many people that live in our neighbourhood can have their lives changed with a sum of money that some of us might spend in a restaurant or filling our cars. Our costs are tiny as most of our work is done by volunteers – so 90% of what you give goes directly to someone who really needs it.
The Society was founded long ago by well-off people to help those in trouble in our county. I am appealing to people connected with Gloucestershire and Bristol today to do the same. Many of us are feeling poorer as a result of this crisis – but we are still in a position to help the people for whom this crisis is a disaster.
If charity really begins at home this is the charity everyone in Gloucestershire and Bristol should support.
Alick Campbell of Lochnell
President of The Gloucestershire Society 2022
Request for Grants
The Gloucestershire Society welcomes requests from professional staff, working at agencies or organisations recognised by The Gloucestershire Society, for grants to support clients in need, who are long-term residents of the Ceremonial County of Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and Bristol north of the River Avon) OR who were born in the Ceremonial County. All requests are considered by members of the Welfare Committee and funding is determined by the level of need and purpose for which the grant is requested.
If you wish to apply for a grant, please use the map on this page by clicking on the location of the address of the Client / Responsible Adult for whom you are making an application for a grant. A panel will open giving you the details of the Welfare Committee member who is responsible for your area.
Choosing the wrong area may delay the processing of the grant application.
Circumstances Ineligible for Grants
Applications for any of the below reasons are not eligible for a grant from The Gloucestershire Society and any applications will be automatically rejected:
- The Gloucestershire Society is unable to consider applications for individuals. Please discuss your needs with your Social/Health/Care support worker who may make a request on your behalf.
- The Gloucestershire Society is unable to award grants to fund therapeutic services.
- The Society is unable to award grants for the repayment of debt. Clients should be advised to seek help from their local Citizens Advice Bureau who can assist with debt management, budgetary management and if necessary, obtaining a Debt Relief Order.
- The Society is only able to provide one grant to any individual/family. However, in exceptional circumstances a request may be considered.
Gloucester, Cheltenham and North Gloucestershire
Miss Janet Duberley
The Forest of Dean, Stroud Valleys and East Gloucestershire
Mrs Barbara Tregear
South Gloucestershire and Bristol (North of the River Avon)
Mrs Moira Garner
