We're celebrating 25 years of making a difference to the community of Stratford-upon-Avon. In that time, the charity has provided funding of almost £45 million to local charities and community organisations and has awarded around 3,500 grants. We're delighted that BBC Coventry and Warwickshire featured us in an article to commemorate this milestone.
Our grants have supported large scale capital projects such as the refurbishment of Delta House for Mencap Heart of England, funded ongoing Hospice care, supported the local Food Bank and provided grants that have changed people’s lives through mental health support, access to sports and the arts and by increasing inclusion and participation for those who might be socially isolated, such as those living with dementia. We also provide hardship grants to individuals each year through Citizens Advice South Warwickshire.
Joanne Parker, Trust and Foundations Fundraiser at The Myton Hospices said: “Stratford Town Trust’s continued commitment has made a real difference to our community, helping us provide compassionate care and support to local people and their loved ones. We are proud to celebrate this important milestone alongside them and look forward to continuing our valued partnership for many years to come.”
Lucy Samuels, Orchestra and Development Manager at Orchestra of the Swan said: “We are proud to have worked with Stratford Town Trust for more than 15 years. Their support has enabled us to excite and engage with the community in Stratford, through concerts, our pioneering dementia café, and visiting schools and care homes. We are incredibly lucky to have found an organisation who recognise the power of music, and the benefits it can bring to people from all walks of life.”
Each year, every school and college in the town benefits from an annual grant from the Trust. Mrs Gill Humphriss, Headteacher, Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School said: Stratford Town Trust’s investment in our pupils has definitely enriched learning and broadened experiences so that children have the chance to thrive. We are grateful and appreciative of the support they give local schools.”
Alongside grant giving, the Trust’s impact is wide reaching. They bring the community together, with the motto ‘our town trust’ underpinning all that they do. Through their community hub they provide free holiday workshops, an annual Fun Palace, Warm Welcome sessions and host activities to support numeracy and literacy. The Trust also offer free events at The Guild Chapel for National Heritage Week, fund community events and provide an annual free programme of live music at the Bandstand each summer.
Matthew Poole, CEO of Stratford Town Trust said: "We’re proud of what we’ve been able to achieve over the last 25 years by working in partnership with the amazing community groups and charities who make such a difference in our town. There are many highlights to celebrate during our history, and we continue to look forward to achieving even more in the years to come.”
“We are incredibly grateful for our fantastic volunteers who help us to share the secrets of The Guild Chapel with visitors from around the world, undertake conservation work at Rowley Fields and Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve and provide repairs and a warm welcome at our monthly Repair Café in partnership with Net Zero Stratford. All of our work is embedded in our mission to help everyone in our community feel like they belong.”
Some of the key achievements of the Trust are the designation of Town Green at Rowley Fields to ensure the area remains protected from development, establishing the Stratford-upon-Avon Local Nature Reserve with Stratford District Council, working in partnership with Stratford Town Council and other local organisations during the pandemic to implement Stratford Support, conservation at the Guild Chapel to preserve medieval wall paintings of international historic importance and championing partnership working that led to the formation of Stratford Youth Collective (SYC).
Lisa Carroll, CEO of Lifespace Trust, one of the founding members of SYC said: “We’re still proudly rooted in Stratford, responding to the needs of local young people, but our reputation and reach continue to grow. We’re proud to have grown alongside Stratford Town Trust and grateful for the role they have played in helping generations of young people feel heard, build resilience and thrive."
To celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we held a special Fun Palace on 3 October, 2026 at Rother Street Arts House.
Anyone over the age of 18 who lives in the town can become a member of Stratford Town Trust for free.