01/05/2024
Trust Fund which Aims to Help Babies and Children
History
◊ ​The Edinburgh Home for Babies was founded in Edinburgh in 1918 to care for vulnerable babies, deprived of a stable home life. In 1922 the School of Mothercraft was added. This offered practical training to nursery nurse students and more importantly, invaluable experience in parenting skills to prospective mothers. With the closure of the residential home in 1979, it was the desire of all involved with The EHBSM that its ideals should be continued by setting up the Avenel Trust fund.
◊ ​The Avenel Trust is a charitable organisation, run by its members and more closely by a group of Trustees. The Trustees hold regular meetings throughout the year to consider the awarding of grants for children.
Aim
◊ ​To provide much needed essential items for individual babies and children, resident in Scotland and under the age of 19 years.
Objectives
◊ ​To assist children with a history of medical and/or social conditions which affect their lives
◊​To offer preference to those living Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and the Central Belt
◊ ​To encourage children in a caring role to live as full a life as possible
◊ ​To seek out and target areas of deprivation within the Edinburgh area
Remit
◊ ​Our remit is to provide essential needy items to children aged from 0 – 18 years. We distribute in the region of 40-50 grants per year, ranging from £50-£500 per grant. The grant covers items such as clothing, beds and bedding or items for children with special needs. We have provided a range of other items to support children, such as sensory or safety equipment. The Trust also encourages grant applications from children in a caring role and offers grants which allow these children to enjoy an active social life, or outings, which are often seen as a necessary break for the child, but an unnecessary expense for the families.
How to Apply
◊ ​Applications for grant funding must be made through a third party such as a health visitor or other medical practitioner, a social worker, or a charitable/voluntary organisation. We cannot accept applications directly from the person seeking a grant. Grants awarded are paid to the third party. No awards can be made to the client directly.
◊ ​Applications can be made in writing of using an Application From. We require details of the reasons for the request, items required and most importantly detailing any relevant medical or social circumstances affecting the child. The more information we are given, the more fully we can consider the application.
◊ ​Application forms can be obtained from the Honorary Secretary.
Completed Application Forms and letters should be submitted to:-
Alison Embleton - Honorary Secretary Tel: 0131 447 0650 - Email: [email protected]
The Avenel Trust, 77 Comiston Drive, Edinburgh, EH10 5QT
