The Wolfson Foundation has today announced its latest round of grants, with around 80 organisations across the UK receiving a share of over £14 million for capital projects, predominantly for research and education facilities.
From St Austell to the Outer Hebrides and Gwynedd to Antrim, projects range from new research facilities and school science laboratories, to performing arts equipment, archive and history centres and hospices.
The University of Sheffield receives £1.5 million towards the expansion of the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), enabling SITraN to significantly grow in size and accelerate their work in developing breakthrough treatments for debilitating neurological conditions, including motor neurone disease (MND).
Architect’s design for SITraN 2 at University of Sheffield. Credit Bond Bryan Architects
CABI – an international, intergovernmental non-profit organisation that applies scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment – receives a grant of £1.25 million towards the relocation and modernisation of its UK science centre. CABI is responsible for world-leading applied research on topics spanning invasive species, pests and diseases and commodity crops, and houses the UK National Fungus collection and the UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank. The organisation’s first award from the Wolfson Foundation supports their move to new premises, and enhanced laboratory facilities, at Silwood Park.
We are also pleased to support cultural projects across the UK. Ripon Museum Trust – which explores the themes of crime, punishment and the welfare state across its three historic locations – receives £150,000 to support the restoration of Ripon Workhouse and interpretation at Ripon Museums. In Derry, The Playhouse will use their grant for equipment for theatre training, enabling the young people they work with to develop and learn new skills within a practical theatre environment.
Ripon Workhouse Museum in Ripon, North Yorkshire is one of the three museums within the Ripon Museum Trust. Photo by Ripon Museum Trust.
Through our public engagement with science programme, the Eden Trust receives a grant towards Eden Project Morecambe, a new environmental visitor attraction on Morecambe’s seafront. This new destination will aim to replicate the success of Eden Project Cornwall in inspiring visitors to learn about local ecology and natural history as well as wider global environmental issues.
Our funding for education also extends to secondary schools and sixth form colleges, with 22 grants awarded across the UK. This includes supporting Ysgol y Moelwyn in Gwynedd to refurbish three science laboratories, Exeter College in Devon to equip two dedicated spaces for A-Level film & media students, and Moffat Academy in Dumfries and Galloway to purchase specialist design & technology equipment, significantly expanding access and opportunities for students.
Exeter College Film and Media students shooting in a TV studio
Through our health and disability funding we support charities working with disability and mental health, those providing care and services for older people, and hospices. The Bridge Association in Antrim will use their grant to develop a training unit and community hub for adults with learning disabilities, while Tagsa Uibhist on the Isle of Benbecula will use their grant to establish a community gardens hub to promote health and wellbeing, with a specific service for older people in Uist.
Local food market at Tagsa Uibhist
Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice receive £200,000 for end of life and bereavement facilities at their new site in Liverpool. Tailored to the very specific needs of babies and families, these facilities will offer families privacy as well as access to support and care during such a challenging time.
View a map of the Foundation’s latest funding.
Read more about our funding for places.
Top image: Senior Healthcare Assistant, Jody, with Lottie. Courtesy Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.
