Josephine Butler was one of the most revolutionary social reformers of the nineteenth century. She challenged the inconsistent and hypocritical standards prevalent at that time especially where they unjustly disadvantaged women. She campaigned vigorously against the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women and children and strove for legislative reform to provide some degree of protection, equality and justice.

Josephine Butler worked tirelessly for the disadvantaged in Liverpool, opening her own home to women in need and single mothers with children. She became internationally known and respected for her work and achievements.

Josephine Butler was inspired in this work by a deep Christian faith and she is remembered officially in the Calendar of the Church of England on the 30th May each year.

After her death a college was founded in her memory in Alexandra Drive, Liverpool. For over 50 years students trained there as social workers and acquired specialist skills focussing particularly in helping single parent families and relating their Christian faith to their work.

As a result of changing educational provision and funding, the college was closed in 1972 and the proceeds invested to form the Josephine Butler Memorial Trust.

The income from the trust is used to award grants for projects in accordance with the aims and ideals of Josephine Butler. The trust also allocates grants to individual students whose studies are consistent with these ideals.

In recent years the Trustees have awarded grants for study and research into the inter-relation of theology and the social sciences and for a range of projects, including:

• outreach to women involved in prostitution in London and Bristol
• working with faith groups to tackle HIV/AIDS
• support for women who had experienced rape or sexual assault
• Providing life-skills to women prisoners

Grants

Under the terms of the Trust Deed dated 28th June 1979, the Trustees are enabled to make financial awards to promote the education of persons of the Christian faith in theology and social sciences, both practical and theoretical in such ways as the Trustees think fit, having regard to the principles of Josephine Butler.

Awards to individuals

When deciding on awards to individuals, the Trustees are looking to support study that links Christian faith and practical social action. As a general rule, the Trust does not make grants towards personal maintenance costs, but only tuition or related study expenses, and therefore support is not usually available for those studying first degrees.

As a guide, grants to individuals are usually no more than £800.

Awards to organisations

Again looking for projects that link Christian faith and social action, the Trustees seek to support projects that engage with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society and particularly those relating to women. The Trust are not able to offer full core funding for organisations but are pleased to consider applications to fund specific projects or aspects of an organisation’s work.

As a guide, grants to organisations and projects are usually no more than £3000.

Applying for a grant

Completed application forms together with the requested supporting information should be received by the Secretary to the Trustees by 31st March. Grants are usually awarded at the Trust’s Grants Meeting in May. However, in special circumstances, applications may be considered at other times of the year.

Applications for funding should be made on the appropriate form (either for an individual award or an organisational award) which are available on this site or by emailing jbt@liverpool.anglican.org.