Trefoil Trust

Trefoil Trust empowers children and young people under 25 with mental, social, or physical disabilities and additional support needs in Scotland to build skills, gain independence, and reach their potential through targeted personal development grants and organizational support. Rooted in a historic Girl Guides ethos of community service and inclusive education, core values emphasize advancing independence, enabling opportunities, enhancing quality of life, and fostering inclusion for the most disadvantaged youngsters. Their grantmaking philosophy prioritizes practical, hands-on interventions that deliver direct, measurable benefits via person-centred activities promoting personal growth, believing change arises from skill-building experiences that overcome developmental barriers and promote self-reliance.

Thematic priorities centre on children and young people aged 0-25 with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, complex health needs like cancer or leukaemia, and additional support needs hindering development, including families and carers facing related challenges. They fund personal development grants enabling sports, arts, music therapy, life skills training, adventure activities, outdoor education, and therapeutic horseback riding for confidence-building and emotional regulation; organisational grants supporting charities delivering after-school clubs, inclusive sports programs like disability sport, peer support groups, and creative projects; and holiday funds for UK-based respite trips providing play, social connection, and family breaks to prevent isolation and carer exhaustion. Interventions focus on therapeutic activities, equipment for independence, recreational opportunities, and skill development addressing social isolation, low self-esteem, and barriers to participation, favouring community-led, trauma-informed, and holistic approaches that integrate play, creativity, and adventure for holistic wellbeing.

Exclusions encompass overheads, salaries, core running costs, capital projects, systemic advocacy, or general education; no support for adults, mainstream schooling, or non-project activities. Distinctive niche lies in Scotland-specific specialization for young people with additional support needs, preference for new, direct beneficiary projects like equipment and holidays over broad services, rigorous evidence-based assessment, and backing grassroots charities with lived experience in disability empowerment, therapeutic recreation, and family resilience-building through inclusive, adventure-focused interventions.