Community
Community is at the heart of what we do at the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. We work with partners to improve the lives of people living in coalfield communities so they can reach their full potential.
CRT Support
Available in:
What is CRT Support?
CRT Support is our programme offering free support to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations operating in Britain’s coalfield communities. We currently work with hundreds of organisations – our community partners – offering them help to access funding, training and information.
Grant funding opportunities
CRT Support can offer help to access funding by identifying available grant opportunities in our grant finder reports, updates from funders and providing opportunities for you to meet potential funders. We also give constructive feedback on funding applications and provide funding through our own CRT Support grants when and where these are available.
Supporting your organisation
We also provide help to navigate the rules and regulations of the charity sector as well as being a supportive partner to assist you with the development of your organisation. CRT Support also has expertise on community asset transfers and what you need to know to take on and manage a building. We’ll work with you to help make your organisation as strong and impactful as you want it to be.
Data and statistics
CRT Support has access to the latest, high quality data for your area and an online library of resources which can help enhance and shape your work.
Training
There is also a range of training, webinars and networking events you can access through CRT Support. We also hold annual surveys so that we can make sure our work is addressing your needs.
A VCSE network for the coalfields
The community partners we work with are at the heart of CRT Support and together we encompass a network of hundreds of organisations offering mutual support to enable the Third Sector working in Britain’s coalfield communities to thrive.
Who We Help
Community groups, social enterprises and charities operating in coalfield communities.
Priorities Covered:
Our Partners
Scottish Government
The work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Scotland is paid for with a grant from the Scottish Government.
Welsh Government
The work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales is paid for with a grant from the Welsh Government.
Workers Educational Association (WEA)
The CRT has teamed up with the WEA to promote adult learning in former coalmining communities. CRT Support’s fantastic network of members provide a breadth of activity in their communities and the WEA’s extensive range of accessible courses has the potential to develop new skills for their staff and volunteers but also for their service users and the wider community.
Find out more about our partnership and available courses here - CRT Leaflet - 2025.
Utility Aid
Utility Aid exists to help charities and not-for-profit organisations source energy, using their knowledge and experience to anticipate and solve problems. Above all, everyone at Utility Aid is united by their desire to do more good for their stakeholders and that sets them apart in terms of how they work as a business.
For over 20 years, Utility Aid have helped charities and not-for-profit organisations bring down their energy costs. This includes reclaiming overcharges, managing administration and advising on all energy-related matters. Utility Aid customers include housing associations and community groups, schools, churches and frontline support services.
Utility Aid treat every case as unique while drawing on many years of experience working across multiple authorities and organisations of all shapes and sizes.
How can Utility Aid help?
· Online switching (for single meter sites)
· Net zero and carbon reporting
As a member of Coalfields Regeneration Trust you can benefit from a free consultancy session with Utility Aid, whether you need support with understanding your bills, checking whether you are paying the correct VAT or if you need advice on starting your journey to Net Zero.
Cranfield Trust
Cranfield Trust has a 35-year history of delivering pro bono management support to frontline welfare organisations. For nine years, Cranfield Trust and Coalfields Regeneration Trust have worked together informally to identify organisations within coalfields communities that can benefit from our free support and services.
In that time, successful outcomes for client organisations include:
• significant funding wins, including multi-year grants, underpinned by robust business planning;
• increased collaboration between charities to improve cross-referrals;
• pooling of resources through strategic reviews of services; and,
• increased impact and more effective services for people living in coalfields communities through improved processes and systems.
If you would like to enquire about accessing Cranfield Trust’s free services, please contact your Regional Development Manager at Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Digital Poverty Alliance
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Digital Poverty Alliance are pleased to be working together to develop new ways to tackle digital poverty so that everyone in the coalfields can benefit from digital opportunities.
Easyfundraising
Easyfundraising is a free, sustainable and very easy way to receive funding for your organisation from something your supporters, volunteers and community are doing already – shopping online!
How does easyfundraising work?
easyfundraising partner with over 8,500 leading retailers who will all donate money to your organisation when your supporters shop online with them. Everyone’s everyday favourite retailers are involved, including eBay, Argos, Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Moonpig, Trainline, John Lewis, M&S, Just Eat, and thousands more.
Every 3 months you’ll receive the funds your supporters have raised for you and you can spend it on whatever you need - buy supplies and equipment, improve your facilities or simply put it towards running costs.
Here's an example:
Your volunteer Chris is taking his family on a day out by train. Instead of visiting the Trainline website, Chris heads to easyfundraising’s website first and then clicks on the Trainline link. easyfundraising directs Chris to Trainline, where he books his tickets. Because Chris started at easyfundraising first, your organisation receives a free donation directly from Trainline, at no extra cost to Chris.
Getting started
- Register your organisation with easyfundraising.
- Use the free pre-made flyers, posters, social posts and emails to let your supporters, volunteers, staff, trustees know and encourage them to shop in support of you.
- Book a chat with the friendly easyfundraising team. They’ll answer any questions and provide guidance and advice on how you can raise as much as possible.
Wrigleys Solicitors
Legal advice for CRT Support members
CRT Support members can now access expert legal advice through our new partnership with Wrigleys Solicitors. With over 30 years’ experience supporting charities, social enterprises and community organisations in England and Wales, Wrigleys really understand the sector and the challenges it can face.
Their specialist team can offer support on a wide range of legal matters including governance, property, funding, employment law, and data protection.
As a CRT Support member, you can access a free, no-obligation 20-minute consultation with one of their advisors. If you decide to take things further, you’ll benefit from a reduced fee tailored to the voluntary and community sector.
To arrange your consultation, contact Daniel Lewis from Wrigleys’ Social Economy team: Visit Daniel’s profile
Your organisation will also be able to access free webinars covering a variety of legal topics such as:
- Choosing or reviewing your legal structure
- Trustees and directors’ duties for charities and not-for-profit organisations
What would you find useful? Email us at crtsupport@coalfields-regen.org.uk.
What Makes This Programme Great?
- Help to access funding – CRT Support can help find funding opportunities, offer feedback on funding bids and provide funding through our own grants.
- Key data to help your work – CRT Support has access to the latest, high quality data for your area as well as library of resources.
- Community asset support – CRT Support has expertise on community asset transfers and can help you gain confidence in taking on your own building.
- Increase your knowledge – CRT Support can provide training and webinars as well as the latest information on the VCSE sector from our team.
- Join a growing network – CRT Support works with hundreds of community partners across the coalfields with networking opportunities available.
Events Associated With This Programme
View Events In Wales
Information on funding and support available
Provider/Funder: Coalfields Regeneration Trust
- Now 10:00am - 4:00pm @ CRT Aneurin Bevan House, 40 Castle Street, Tredegar. NP22 3DQ
Available Grants
Check out the available grants we have for CRT Support and find out how to apply.
Coalfields Community Grants - Capital Grant
The Coalfields Community Capital Grant in Wales can award capital funding from £500 up to £7000 and is funded by Welsh Government.
The aim of this programme is to support community and voluntary organisations, who manage community facilities, to access funding required to: safeguard; maintain; and/or improve their community facility.
Funder: Welsh Government
Fund Type: Capital
Award Size: £500-£7,000
Who Can Apply?
Please refer to guidance notes.
When To Apply?
Rolling annual programme.
How To Apply?
Information can be found within the application form.
Areas Funded: Eligible coalfield areas in Wales. Applicants can be outside an eligible coalfield area if the applicant can demonstrate that the project will benefit people from coalfield areas in Wales.
Opening Date: 23 May 2025
Funding Documents
Application Form - English Application Form - Welsh Guidance Notes - English Guidance Notes - Welsh
Surveys & Professional Fees
As a new addition to our CRT Support grants, we’re now able to fund professional surveys and assessments to help organisations plan for the future. This new grant is designed to help you understand the current condition of your community asset, identify priorities, and build a strong case for future funding or improvements.
Eligible surveys include (but are not limited to):
- Building Condition Survey with 5-Year Maintenance Plan
- Asbestos Survey
- Energy Efficiency Survey
- Damp or Structural Survey
This support can be especially helpful if you are unsure where to start, or if you’re preparing for a larger capital project.
Key facts:
- Up to two surveys per organisation
- Rolling programme – apply at any time
- Open to organisations based in or clearly benefiting coalfield communities in Wales
- Funded by the Welsh Government
Funder: Welsh Government
Fund Type: Surveys & Professionals Fees
Award Size: Up to two surveys per organisation
Apply NowAreas Funded: Eligible coalfield areas in Wales. Applicants can be outside an eligible coalfield area if the applicant can demonstrate that the project will benefit people from coalfield areas in Wales.
Interested in this Programme?
We'd love you to take part in our programme, so why not get in touch and sign up today?