St Giles-in-the-Fields and Bloomsbury United Charity

St Giles-in-the-Fields and Bloomsbury United Charity is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing relief from hardship through alms and educational grants. The charity primarily serves residents within historic parishes including St Giles-in-the-Fields, St George’s Bloomsbury, and St Paul’s Covent Garden, covering parts of Bloomsbury, Holborn & Covent Garden wards in Camden, and parts of Westminster[1][4].

History and Formation

Formed in 2005, the charity consolidated four former charities: the Almshouse and Pension Charities; the Bloomsbury Dispensary for the Relief of the Sick and Poor; the Leverton Charity; and the Dibdin Brand Charity[4]. The charity's origins date back to the 17th century when, in 1656, the Earl of Southampton granted land for building almshouses for aged widows in what is now St Giles High Street. The charity has a long-standing history of providing support to the elderly and those in financial distress in the Covent Garden area, including the provision of almshouse accommodation[4][2].

Activities and Services

The charity operates two main branches:

• Alms Charity: Provides almshouse accommodation for elderly females, particularly in Covent Garden, and offers grants designed to relieve financial hardship. The area of benefit covers the parishes of St Giles-in-the-Fields, St George’s Bloomsbury, and St Paul’s Covent Garden, including most of Bloomsbury and parts of Camden and Westminster[1][2].

• Education Charity: Offers educational grants to individuals living within an extended area that includes 18 church parishes across Bloomsbury, Holborn, Covent Garden, and south Westminster. This branch supports educational advancement and provides financial assistance to those in need within its catchment[1][4].

Governance and Values

The charity maintains a modern approach to grant-making while remaining inspired by the philanthropic intentions of its historic founders. It operates as a small, local, independent funder deeply familiar with the specific needs of its community[4]. The charity continues to manage and preserve almshouse accommodation while distributing grants aimed at alleviating hardship related to health, education, and old age[2][3].

Area of Benefit

The organization defines its area of benefit by historic parish boundaries rather than current local authority divisions. The alms charity area is focused around St Giles-in-the-Fields, St George’s Bloomsbury, and Covent Garden parishes, while the educational charity extends into south Westminster wards, including Knightsbridge & Belgravia and the West End[1].

This charity combines a rich heritage with continued community service, focusing on providing support to vulnerable populations within London's Bloomsbury and Covent Garden neighborhoods through housing provisions and educational funding.

[1] https://stgilesandstgeorge.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4018726/charity-overview [3] https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=STGI001 [4] https://stgilesandstgeorge.org.uk/who-we-are/ [5] https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/org/st-giles-fields-and-bloomsbury-united-charity