The Trustees of the Mayfield Trust have asked asked if we could help raise awareness in the Village about it’s activities. We are only to pleased to do so…
What is The Mayfield Trust?
Mayfield Charity (informally known as the Mayfield Trust) is a Charity that provides short-term assistance to those most in need within the local community. Originally it provided help solely to poor and needy individuals/families of the Parish, but in recent years the scope of the Trust has been increased and we are now able, in some circumstances, to assist local organisations in their support of the community.
A brief history
The Mayfield Trust is a very long established body. Its funds originate from money or property left in the wills of a number of benefactors, notably the Baker family, with the oldest being the Hugh Luck will trust of 1630. In the early 1900’s a number of these were brought together and incorporated into the Mayfield Charity, with a further four very small charities being added in the 1980’s.
Today all the Trust’s assets are held as cash, invested in approved charitable funds. Under the terms of the current Scheme, approved by the Charity Commissioners, the Trust is permitted to distribute any annual income arising from the capital invested but the capital itself cannot be touched.
How you can help the Trust
We look to the community for assistance in two ways.
Firstly, if you feel you would like to commemorate your life within the Parish, or connection to Mayfield and the surrounding area, what better way to do so than to leave a legacy to the Trust? The needs we have to meet change over time – but they do not diminish or cease.
Secondly, we rely very much on information from you to help us identify those in need of assistance.
How the Trust can help you
Subject to availability of funds the Mayfield Trust is able to offer grants to individuals, and occasionally organisations, for a variety of purposes related to health, social, living, and educational needs. This could include purchase of medical or mobility equipment, helping with a family emergency, the purchase of essential items for those in financial difficulties, or giving a grant to a local organisation to help them provide assistance or a specific service to the local community.
Whatever the background, all requests by individuals are treated in strict confidence.
There are some restrictions affecting grants, the main ones are:
- a) the beneficiary must live within “the ancient parish of Mayfield”, which includes Mayfield, Five Ashes and part of Hadlow Down.
- b) we cannot give grants for religious or political purposes.
- c) grants are normally given on a one-off rather than an on-going basis.
Although we do not make detailed enquiries into financial circumstances, we do need to try to ensure that we direct our grants to those on a very limited budget and in most need.
How do I apply for a grant?
The Trustees meet four times a year, in March, June, September and December, to consider requests for financial assistance. Requests should be made by submitting a completed application form to the Clerk to the Trustees, to be received by the 20th of the preceding month.
A list of future meeting dates and deadlines for receipt of applications is maintained on the Mayfield Trust link on the Mayfield & Five Ashes village web site (www.mayfieldfiveashes.org.uk).
In exceptional circumstances only, the Trustees may be able to consider an application between meetings, under emergency procedures.