Objects

Focused on Westminster, the two key strands of our work are:

• Supporting disadvantaged younger people, particularly through training and education.
• Supporting older people in need, especially those who are lonely and socially isolated.

Achievements in 2025

Our achievements in our core activities during 2025 directly and positively supported over 2,000 people through the following:

·       Continuance of our bursaries & scholarship programmes.

Our bursary and scholarship programmes have been central to our activities over a number of years, with a focus on supporting young people who are financially disadvantaged to continue their education and improve their long-term future opportunities.

In 2025 we have:

·       continued to support two students from low-income backgrounds at university with Sir Simon Milton Scholarships.

·       continued our bursary support to the Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge Simon Milton’s alma mater, where we are helping three students. We have 34 Scholarship alumni now making their way in the world.

·       Supporting improved literacy for young people

During 2025 we released the third year of funding in support of the Butterfly Education Resurrection programme, which provides free reading classes to over 100 children from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-income households. Overall, supporting those children most in need of academic support to thrive. 

  

 

 

•   Launch of two new major charity partnerships

Following a strategy review in 2024, we were delighted to embark on two new large grant partnerships with London Youth and the Brilliant Club in 2025, which will span the next five years.

In its first year these two partnerships are already delivering clear and tangible results, supporting  young people in the following ways:-

·       to explore, engage with, and enjoy the creative arts through the Sir Simon Milton Foundation Young Creators Programme, which is helping to build confidence, life-skills and communication skills.

·       to participate in the ‘Join the Dots’ programme, which is helping students facing the greatest challenges in making a successful transition to university.

·       providing financial support with a Sir Simon Milton Bursary, for those who face additional  financial pressure of living and studying in one of the most expensive areas of the country.

•   Sir Simon Milton Foundation Tea Dance

On Sunday 7th December 2025, more than 1,000 Westminster residents aged 65 and over enjoyed a glorious afternoon of live music and entertainment at the annual Tea Dance. Now in its 17th year, the charity event has become a calendar highlight for many older residents of Westminster and their carers who look forward to the special festive event held in the magnificent Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. Guests were entertained by music from Tea Dance regulars, the Red Stripe Band, and students from the Sylvia Young Theatre School, and professional ballroom dancers. Christopher Biggins was the afternoon’s special guest.

“Great for everyone, thank you to everyone who makes it possible, it brings a lot of joy to many people.”

Tea Dance Attendee.

•   Westminster Christmas Hampers

We continued our support in partnership with Westminster Connects in supporting the delivery of over 800 Christmas hampers to the most vulnerable older people in Westminster. Thank you to the London Heritage Quarter and Westminster Connects and its volunteers who helped make this possible and for all their support.

“Thank you for the Christmas greetings and gifts. This was unexpected and brought many positive emotions. We feel remembered and supported. We wish you a happy Christmas—peace, kindness, and love.”

Hamper Recipient 

Looking to the future

The Trustees will continue to work closely with their beneficiaries and monitor and evaluate the activities to ensure they are delivering maximum impact with the funding they distribute. The Foundation is now on an evolved strategic pathway with its grant-making and is looking forward to building on its success to date through the following:

•  Continued partnership working with London Youth and the Brilliant Club.
•  Continue to support students from low-income families at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge through the Sir Simon Milton Bursary scheme.
•  Fulfill existing scholarship, bursary and grant commitments.
•  Deliver The Sir Simon Milton Tea Dance for residents in Westminster.
•  Support the Christmas Hamper programme to residents in Westminster