Welcome to The Chester Bluecoat Charity. Based in The Bluecoat, a Grade II listed building in the heart of Chester, we have been helping those who live in our local community for over eight hundred years.
Our team are committed to supporting those in the local area who need it most. We focus on making a difference via three key initiatives:
- Creating a base with relevant support for local charities and not-for-profits who work from The Charity Hub.
- Providing much-needed funds to support projects that help and support others through our grant giving scheme.
- Offering safe and cost-effective homes to those in our community who need them most in our almshouses.
Charity hub
We are delighted to be able to support multiple third sector organisations by providing them with a home at The Bluecoat. We are planning to expand our services and events to enable us to further assist and support this valuable community.
Grant giving
We are in the fortunate position of being able to support the work of other local charities and good causes via our grant giving award scheme. Our approach is to fund projects that will bring real benefit to those who need it the most in the community. In 2023 we awarded over £200,000 to organisations that address issues including food poverty, mental health, education and disability.
Almshouses
Tucked away at the back of The Bluecoat building are sixteen beautiful almshouses. Today, as they have done for over two centuries, they provide invaluable accommodation to residents over sixty on a low income.
A potted history of The Chester Bluecoat Charity
- 1837 – Thirty-one local charities were united under one charity umbrella, with each charity managed under its’ own deed.
- Between 1892 to 1975 – additional charities joined the group.
- 1976 – All the charities were dissolved, and four new charities were created in their place: Chester Municipal Almshouse Charity; Chester Municipal Relief Charity; Owen Jones Relief Charity; and Owen Jones Education Charity.
- 2010 – The four charities combined into one organisation – Chester Municipal Charities (1077806).
- 2020 – The charity adopted the name that it goes by today – The Chester Bluecoat Charity (1186738).
