St Monica Trust announces launch of Charitable Foundation

Under the Trust’s new Charitable Foundation, the Bristol-based charity will be part of a consortium delivering a Charitable Programme of £1.5 million per year, establish a sector-leading Training Academy and create a Centre of Innovation embracing the latest technological advances in the care sector from across the world.

The St Monica Trust’s Chief Executive, David Williams said: “Supporting communities outside of our retirement villages is in the St Monica Trust’s DNA.

“Alongside the commitment to build “The St Monica Home”, the Trust’s original 1922 title deed also committed to establish “Monica Wills Annuities” to provide financial assistance to those in need.

“With the creation of the Charitable Foundation, we are looking at a continuation of our founders’ principles and repurposing them to provide even better outcomes for older people through the three strands of funding, learning and technology.”

The Charitable Foundation

Under the Charitable Foundation, a consortium of 50 local and national organisations will deliver a Charitable Programme of £1.5 million per year with the aim of ending isolation and loneliness among older people.

The St Monica Trust will contribute £500,000 per year in funding to the Charitable Programme with the rest coming from its partner organisations within the consortium.

An Academy will also be established at the Somerdale Pavilion in Keynsham to create a future workforce for both the Trust and the wider health and social care sector.

This will include adding to the Trust’s current provision of apprenticeships, as well as offering opportunities for overseas learnings and academic research.

Thirdly, a Centre of Innovation will be created to design new models of care and integrated services within the St Monica Trust’s villages and care homes, as well as embedding new technology within the Trust.

The Charitable Foundation was launched on 25 June at the Trust’s Chocolate Quarter Retirement Village.

The launch event was attended by organisations and individuals supported by the Trust over the last twelve months, and representatives from the Trust’s apprenticeship schemes.

Increasing community investment three-fold

David Williams, said: “The St Monica Trust’s purpose is to build communities where older people flourish through greater contribution, connection and choice.

“By initiating the biggest shake-up of our charitable giving in the Trust’s hundred year history, the Charitable Foundation will enable us to increase our investment in the communities beyond our retirement villages three-fold.

“This investment is not only reflected in monetary terms, with the increased funding available through the Charitable Programme, or the tangible benefits of the Academy and Centre of Innovation for both the Trust’s residents and colleagues, and the wider health and social care sector.

“But the evidence-based findings gathered by the Charitable Foundation will also be used to influence key thinkers nationally and effect real change to societal issues, such as loneliness and isolation, that continue to blight the lives of older people.”