The Support Fund gives financial assistance to community organisations in the Chester area that can demonstrate the provision of a wider community benefit to local people. In the past we have supported a wide range of organisations with both one-off funding and more regular assistance over a number of years. We also welcome applications that support the help already given by other established local charities. Support to individual applicants is provided via our partner agencies who receive funds from us, such as the West Cheshire Credit Union.

All enquiries should be made to the Charity through our Contacts page.

The Education Fund is awarded to educational institutions or to organisations which seek to promote the education, training, social and civic development of people under the age of twenty-five who are from the Chester area

Grant applications may also be made by individual young people under the age of 25 years, who are attending or have attended a school in Chester and who are Chester residents, in order to help with their education.

Grants may come in the form of bursaries paid directly to schools or colleges, or in help to meet the cost of travel expenses or the purchase of equipment etc.

Enquiries should be made to the Charity through our Contact page.

The Charity’s Almshouses are located at Bluecoat Square, off Upper Northgate Street in Chester. The small estate of sixteen one bedroom houses are set around a courtyard at the rear of The Bluecoat building. Initially established in the mid-19th century, they have since been improved and modernised and now offer comfortable and secure housing in the heart of Chester city centre.

The deeds of the Charity state that to qualify for residence, Almspeople must be ‘in need, hardship or distress, and resident in or with a strong connection to Chester’.

Ideally applicants will be over the age of 60 years. Any vacancy that arises in the Almshouses is advertised on this website. If no Almshouses are currently available, it is still possible for potential applicants to be placed on a waiting list. For further information on the qualifying criteria and how to apply, please contact the Charity through our Contact page.

Images Courtesy of www.sarahwhitephotography.co.uk

In 2015 Chester Municipal Charities restored and converted The Bluecoat building into a centre for charities and voluntary organisations.

Collectively, the organisations based at the Bluecoat provide training, advice, support and assistance to a great number of people in the Cheshire area.

When office space becomes available at The Bluecoat we will we advertise it on this website under the ‘news’ section.

If you work for a registered charity and would like further information about office space at The Bluecoat, please contact Janette on 01244 403277, or email: thebluecoat@chestermc.org.uk.