John Foyles Charity

Helping those in need who live in Shaftesbury

Financial help for those in need

The John Foyles Charity was created in 1647 for the general relief of financial hardship affecting individuals living in Shaftesbury.  The geographic area was later extended to include Melbury and Cann 


Registered Charity Number 202959


When you’ve got very little money coming in, it can be difficult to budget for unexpected expenses. If you’re finding it hard to manage, you may be able to get extra help from John Foyles Charity. 


Do you need financial assistance? We may be able to help if you live in Shaftesbury, Melbury or Cann in Dorset. If you think we can help, please complete our online application form.


Here are some examples of the grants we have recently made:


  • Computer equipment
  • Employment training costs
  • Hospital travel expenses
  • Installation of telephone helplines
  • Purchase of play equipment
  • Purchase of books and tools
  • Home broadband connections
  • Funding towards wheelchairs
  • Equipment for the disabled
  • Essential Household Goods
  • Essential Furnishings

Plus much, much more..

Apply for a Grant

Before you start to complete our application form please ensure you meet our eligibility criteria and have a sponsor.


If you feel you satisfy the criteria and have a sponsor that we can contact to verify your needs, the trustees would like to hear from you. Please select the link below to start your application.


Apply Now

Sponsor an application

If you have been contacted to provide a reference as a sponsor to an application we have received please select the option to complete our simple form below.


We consider all applications on their individual merit and your feedback is an essential aspect of our ability to provide support to the local community.


Proceed

Donate to the trust or leave a legacy

The John Foyle Charity trust is able to complete its role within the Shaftesbury, Melbury and Cann community thanks to a legacy provided by John Foyle in 1647.


Our resources are limited and we welcome donations and legacies to ensure we can meet the growing needs of our community.


For more information on leaving a legacy please download our Legacy Leaflet.


If you would like to donate please contact the Trustees below 



Contact Us

Our Trustees are local volunteers


Trustees

"Helping those in need in Shaftesbury, Melbury and Cann"

In the last will and testament of John Foyle of Bimport in 1647 two fields of land were left in trust to benefit those in need of financial support in the parish of Holy Trinity in Shaftesbury. The trust continues to support local residents from this legacy.
WORKING TOGETHER

If you need financial support and fit our criteria please follow the steps below

01

Fill in the online application form below

Provide as much information as possible. You will need a supporting sponsor who is sufficiently aware of your personal circumstances to verify your application.

02

Contact your sponsor to provide a reference

After you complete and submit your application you must contact your chosen sponsor and ask them to complete a sponsor reference on this website to validate your application. 

03

Our trustees will consider your application

We meet bi-monthly to review applications. Should you have an urgent request please contact our clerk.

04

Our decision

Funds from our trust are limited. The Trustees are not able to grant every request but consider all applications discreetly, promptly and fairly. 

Apply for a grant

Please complete the online form below to submit your application for a grant

online Application for a Grant from John Foyles Charity Trust


IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE YOU APPLY


All applications are confidential. Before you start to complete our application form please ensure you meet our eligibility criteria:


1. The applicant, must live in Shaftesbury, Melbury or Cann


2. The request must be necessary - the trustees will not make grants towards any non-essential items


3. The applicant must be in financial need - that means that they cannot afford to pay for the request (or part of it) themselves and may be in receipt of benefits


4. The application must be supported by a relevant sponsor or professional reference (please note that this cannot be a family member) The trustees rely on supportive evidence to make a decision on your application. 


A sponsor is someone who knows your situation for example they may be from - Citizens Advice (CAB), Open House, Your doctor, health worker, social worker, housing officer, councillor, church official or similar. 


If you are sponsoring an application or providing a reference for an applicant please follow this link to provide SPONSOR FEEDBACK. Please do not complete a new application in the below form.


After you submit your application by completing the form below It is your   responsibility to contact your nominated sponsor and ask them to provide a reference by completing their SPONSOR FEEDBACK   form. 


We will   NOT   be able to process any applications without sponsor feedback.


5. The Charity is unable to award grants for debt or for rent / mortgage arrears.


6. When providing a quote for the service/item(s) you need please, where possible, choose the services of a local business.


If you feel you satisfy the criteria, the trustees would like to hear from you. 


__________________________________________

APPLICATION FORM 

(to be completed by the applicant only)

Please complete the form below in as much detail as possible:

Sponsor feedback
To enable the trustees to assess the eligibility of the applicant, please provide as much information as possible by completing the form below.

Sponsorship feedback form

Application Sponsors Only


Please provide information to the trustees of John Foyles Charity in response to an application you have been asked to sponsor. 


Provide honest feedback, all information will be treated in the strictest confidence.


Should you wish to speak with a trustee directly, please use the contact us form below. 


Trustees

Trustees are volunteers who have overall governance and legal responsibility for the charity. They are members of the local community and impartially review each individual application to continue the original aim of John Foyles. 

DAVID 
WHEELER

Chairman

TRUDIE
STANLEY

Trustee

ROGER
BOOTH

Trustee

STEPHEN 
UDEN

Trustee

ELAINE
WYNN-MACKENZIE

Trustee

Jackie Cuff

Clerk to the trustees

Contact us

Email Us

Postal Address

The Trustees
John Foyles Charity
C/O Farnfields Solicitors
4 Church Lane
Shaftesbury 
Dorset
SP7 8JT


Phone and Text Messaging Service

Please note that our phone line is unmanned. You are welcome to call and leave us a message or text us and we will respond to you in due course.

07746 298 792

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 © 2025

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