The Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy  (CSOC)

CSOC is a charity that has been supporting clergy families since 1655. The Registrar, Robert Welsford, writes, "CSOC can help the separated and divorced wives or husband of clergy, provided that the clergy spouse still retains Anglican Holy Orders." They will also help separated or divorced wives of clergy of the Church of Ireland, the Church in Wales and the Scottish Episcopal Church. Grants are given for a particular purpose and not normally given more often than once a year. All grants are discretionary and applicants are means-tested when they apply. All applicants need to complete an application form obtained from their office 

For more details, or application form, visit  email: enquiries@clergycharities.org.uk  www.clergycharities.org.uk  or phone 020 7799 3696 The address is 1 Dean Trench Street, London SW1P 3HB

Diocese of Norwich charity

Mrs R I Colman Trust

This charity offers means-tested grants or loans to retired clergy in need and to widowed spouses and divorced or legally separated spouses of active or retired clergy. the clerics must have served (as stipendiaries, NSMs or OLMs in the Norwich diocese)

Application forms from The Secretary, The Rev'd Charles Hall, 24 Mill Road, Reepham, Norwich NR10 4JU

The Keay Thom Trust - Scottish Charity

Benefits widows, daughters or other female dependents of deceased ministers or wives of ministers who are divorced or separated and been required to leave the Manse of the Church of Scotland parish.

The Foundation of Edward Storey

This charity has been providing help and accommodation to ladies in financial need and they offer a number of services to those who have a professional connection to the Church of England like  sheltered accommodation, from self-contained bungalows with a warden service, to a residential home with 24-hour care. They also provide grants and loans to women in financial difficulty.

The amount and nature (ie grant or loan)  depends on the type of help required, and all decisions are at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Please contact the Foundation if you would like an application form to apply for a grant.

email: info@edwardstorey.org.uk or visit http://www.edwardstorey.org.uk or phone 01223 364405

Independent Age (Formerly RUKBA)

Charity to help older people and inform people on very low incomes to remain in their own homes for as long as possible by offering regular financial support . Rukba had published a free guide called "60 WISE! - Your essential guide to enjoying an independent life in later years." The guide contains clear information on crucial topics such as money matters, help at home and home security, plus advice about moving into residential or nursing care. It also lists useful phone numbers, information of grants, benefits and helpful organisations.

Elizabeth Finn Trust

The Trust may provide grants, regular allowances of one-off gifts for specific needs to those who face hardship and have less than £16,000 capital - excluding the value of their home. They also give help towards fees in residential or nursing hones - other than those provided by the Trust.

Visit their website for more details.  write to 1 Derry Street, London W8 5HY Telephone 0207 396 6700 www.elizabethfinntrust.org.uk

Care for the Family

This charity produces a free newsletter for single parent families entitled "Single Parent Family.

They can be contacted on www.singleparentfamily@cff.org.uk  or at Freepost (CF4636), Cardiff, CF15 7GZ

Family Welfare Association

501-505 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU. Phone 020 7254 6251 www.fwa.org.uk

Newton's Trust (C of E)

Newton's Trust is established by Portsmouth Diocese to provide financial assistance to widows or unmarried daughters of deceased clergymen and to divorced or separated wives of clergymen of the Church of England, the Church in Wales and the Scottish Episcopal Church. Applications are considered by the grants committee appointed by the Trustees, and one time cash grants are made at their discretion.

Visit their website for more details Newton's Trust or email: enquiries@lichfield-cathedral.org or write to

The Secretary at the Chapter House, 19a The Close, Lichfield WS13 7LD or phone 01543 306104

Charities assisting children and young people

1. The Frank Buttle Trust (help with school fees and sometimes expenses - under 16s. The Frank Buttle Trust, Audley House, 13 Palace Street, London SW1E 5HX Tel: 020 7828 7311http://www.buttletrust.org/

2. The Reynolds Trust (help for students in further and higher education who are wither estranged from their parents or caring for their parents aged 16-21. Audley house, 13 Palace Street, London SW1 5HS Tel: 020 7828 7311