WBD Foundation grant funding scheme reaches £150k milestone after supporting 33 charities

Womble Bond Dickinson’s charitable foundation has reached a significant milestone, donating £150,000 to 33 charities through its grant funding scheme and supporting local projects that are making a positive difference in communities across the UK.

Launched in January 2025, the WBD Foundation’s grant funding scheme was created to help charities deliver projects aligned with the Foundation’s current areas of focus: climate action and environmental protection; LGBTQ+ inclusion; supporting inclusion of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds; increasing women’s opportunities in life and work; disability and neurodiversity inclusion; and mental health and wellbeing support.

The Foundation has now completed four rounds of funding. Charities supported to date have all delivered projects local to WBD’s offices, reflecting the firm’s commitment to unlocking potential and making a positive difference in the communities where its people live and work.

Stephanie Antrobus, an associate at Womble Bond Dickinson and trustee of the WBD Foundation, said: 

“The Foundation exists to support charitable organisations that create meaningful change, particularly in the communities where our colleagues live and work. Reaching £150,000 in donations across 33 charities is an important moment for the Foundation and reflects the strength, ambition and local impact of the projects we have been able to support. We are proud to help charities deliver practical, inclusive and lasting benefits for people and communities across the UK, and we look forward to seeing the difference future funding rounds will continue to make.”

Supporting local projects with lasting impact

The projects supported through the scheme demonstrate the breadth of work being delivered by charities across WBD’s office communities, from health and wellbeing initiatives to environmental education, inclusion programmes and opportunities for young people.

In Leeds, a £5,000 grant to Women’s Health Matters helped fund its Rainbow Hearts project for nine months, supporting 75 asylum-seeking women and recently granted refugees with vital one-to-one emotional and practical support. The grant also enabled participants to access celebration and community events, creative arts, textile and heritage projects, cultural visits, education and employability opportunities, digital inclusion and safety sessions, and health and wellbeing activities.

In Plymouth, a £3,660 grant to The Chestnut Appeal supported the expansion of its Men’s Health Group for Black, Asian and minority ethnic men living with prostate, testicular and penile cancer. The funding helped cover room hire for monthly meetings, awareness-raising materials and partnership work to improve connections with Cornwall’s West African community. In response to issues raised by men attending the group, part of the grant was also used to run a PSA testing event for 113 men who had not previously been offered screening, despite being at higher risk.

In London, a £5,000 grant to BelEve supported its 12-week BeEmpowered programme, helping 40 girls aged 11 to 13 from low-income and ethnically diverse backgrounds in Lewisham build confidence, resilience and aspirations as they transitioned into secondary school. Delivered by trained BelEve mentors, the programme included interactive workshops, group discussions, reflective activities and practical confidence-building exercises. Following the programme, 90% of participants felt more confident speaking in class, 85% felt more settled at school, 88% made at least one new friend, 82% felt better able to manage stress and 76% felt more positive about their future.

Near Newcastle, a £1,000 grant to 7th South Shields Scout Group funded the creation of a bee-friendly sensory garden at the Scout hut. The funding enabled the group to buy pollinator-friendly plants, install a new outdoor tap and purchase equipment to maintain the garden and surrounding field. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have also taken part in planting sessions and learned how to care for the garden, with the Cubs visiting a local garden centre and choosing plants that will most benefit pollinators.

A £5,000 grant to The Tree Council supported the expansion of its Young Tree Champions programme across Newcastle, South Tyneside and Teesside, delivering year-long projects in five schools serving communities experiencing high levels of deprivation. The funding helped young people build meaningful connections with trees and nature while improving wellbeing, developing environmental knowledge and creating greener, healthier school environments. It has enabled the charity to directly engage 517 young people through 27 hands-on workshops, train 14 teachers in outdoor learning and support the planting and care of 845 trees.

Applications now open

The next round of the WBD Foundation’s grant funding scheme is now open and will close on 11 January. UK registered charities delivering projects aligned with the Foundation’s current themes are invited to apply here.