JOINING IN WITH WHAT
GOD IS ALREADY DOING

For nearly 170 years, The Willats Trust has been quietly enabling the good news of Jesus to be proclaimed where it’s needed most.

The hope of Jesus belongs in every community

The Willats Trust is a grant funder for local churches in the most deprived areas of the UK. We’re partners who walk the long road with you – supporting you in a way that’s led by your vision and your understanding of your community.

We do this through accessible, multi-year grants that enable you to share the Gospel where it’s needed most. We also offer additional support through encouragement, prayer, and networks.

OUR JOURNEY

In the 1850s, a man called William Willats was challenged by how the poorest in London were excluded from church.

Born in Middlesex in 1790, he grew up in a very different society to what we know today. Many people went to a church on Sunday, but if they didn’t have suitable clothes, they wouldn’t go. Mr Willats wanted to change this, so he took ‘church’ to the people by funding a ‘spiritual guide’ programme – one where “Guides” would visit the poorest in society to read them the Bible, pray with them and help them understand God’s word. Today, we might call that person an evangelist or community pastor.

We continue to walk the long road to Kingdom transformation
We hold to the same belief that shaped the Trust’s beginnings – that God transforms communities through faithful, local people sharing the good news of Jesus.
We have moved with the times though, and rather than employing people directly, we now make grants to local churches to enable them to share the hope of Jesus with their communities.
To celebrate our 160th anniversary in 2018, the charity re-branded and was renamed “The Willats Trust”.

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Grounded in relationship. Rooted in Jesus

“The Willats’ Trust give so much more than only financial support. I have experienced a real sense of care, commitment and prayer…” – Gwen, chaplain at St Michael's Junior School in Bath

The good news of Jesus transforms lives and communities

And we want to see it in the most deprived areas of the UK.

These communities aren’t always first in the pecking order of society, and sometimes the wider church overlooks these areas too - particularly when it comes to funding.

These Communities need the local church

Local churches who are supported through the setbacks to preach the Gospel and see God’s promise fulfilled in their locality - even if it means experimenting with what we think of when we think of church

Permanent transformation takes time - and trust

Trust between local churches and their communities, as well as between funders and churches.

As local churches, you know what’s needed in your own community - you’re the pioneers, and we want to come alongside you.

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Success in stories, not statistics

“God is clearly at work in my community. Our church is very visible in our little town and people come knocking on the door looking for prayer or advice.”

– Scott, St Andrew's Church, Cullompt