Patrick Trust

The Patrick Trust, established in 1962 by Joseph and Ruth Patrick following their son Andrew's death from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is a family-rooted UK philanthropic funder committed to advancing wellbeing for young people, older adults, and disabled individuals—especially those with neuromuscular conditions—through targeted support in the West Midlands region. Its mission emphasizes compassion, empowerment, and practical responses to disadvantage, evolving from muscular dystrophy research to broader welfare, inclusion, care, education, and quality-of-life initiatives, with a legacy of over £3 million to Muscular Dystrophy UK and governance of the Joseph Patrick Trust for specialist equipment.

It prioritizes projects delivering tangible outcomes like enhanced independence, social participation, and community fabric strengthening for children/young people, elderly residents, disabled beneficiaries, and West Midlands metro communities. Funded activities include project costs, equipment, core services, and interventions with clear local impact, favoring established charities demonstrating efficacy.

Eligible applicants are exclusively UK-registered charities (Charity Commission-listed) operating in or ring-fencing funds for the West Midlands; small to medium-sized organizations with proven regional footprint are preferred, with no strict income thresholds but a focus on those able to evidence direct beneficiary benefits.

Typical grants range from £500 to £2,500. Unsolicited applications are welcomed via email or post, including a covering letter, charity number, project details, requested amount, and West Midlands assurance; processed on a rolling basis at quarterly trustee meetings, with decisions typically within three months—no set deadlines.

Exclusions encompass non-West Midlands work, unregistered entities, individuals (redirect to Joseph Patrick Trust), and projects outside young/older/disabled priorities. Distinctive for its unwavering West Midlands localism, trustee personal engagement from lived disability experience, and philosophy of modest, high-impact grants to combat age- and disability-driven social exclusion.