• Southlands Methodist Trust (SMT)

    Southlands Methodist Trust (SMT) is an independent trust associated with the College that aims to develop Christian and Methodist understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues of local, national and global significance for church and/or society. It seeks to enrich the life of Southlands College and the research communities of Roehampton and the Methodist Church in ways that reflect the College's Methodist values and ethos and to benefit the wider Methodist community.

    Southlands Methodist Trust funds projects:

    • That support the development of Christian, specifically Methodist, understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues of local, national and global significance for church and/or society and to facilitate public dissemination of such developments.
    • That enable members of the Methodist community and wider public in Britain and internationally to benefit from the academic and other expertise and experience within Southlands college and the University of Roehampton.
    • That enrich the community life of the Southlands College and the work of the Chaplaincy in ways which reflect its Methodist values and ethos.
    • That support the charitable work undertaken for the benefit of the college.
    • That maintain and develop the link between the Methodist Church, Southlands College and the University of Roehampton.

    In practice, the types of project that have been supported by the Trust include:

    • Research projects. For example, the Trust has funded projects looking at the “Social capital of Methodist congregations”, at the “Branding of Methodist Schools” and at the way in which Methodist Centres may support migrants with drug and alcohol problems.
    • Conferences and seminars. For example, the trust has supported a series of half day seminars looking at inequality.
    • The production of learning materials. For example, materials aimed at primary schools using Methodist art resources.
    • In residence projects. The Trust has funded a poet-in-residence and is about to fund a campaigner-in-residence.
    • Community projects. For example, the Armagh project which brings together young people from the Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland. 

    This list is not exhaustive and applications from all types of projects that fall within the purposes of the trust are welcomed.

    The Trust has three types of awards

    Very small grants: for awards of up to £500 please speak directly to either the HoC or Chaplain.

    Small grants: these are for projects costing £5,000 or less. These would normally be for short projects, lasting no more than six months.

    Major awards: for projects costing more than £5,000 and up to £30,000 and normally of up to one year.

    Download details of our Research Grants for 2012 (PDF).

    How to apply for funding 

    Download the application form and return to the address below.

    Informal questions about the process can also be directed to:

    Gwen Brookes, Executive Officer
    Southlands College
    University of Roehampton
    Roehampton Lane
    London, SW15 5SL

    Email: gwen.brookes@roehampton.ac.uk

    Trustees:  Rev Dr David Deeks, Dr Christopher Stephens, Mr Nigel Fairhurst, Mr Stephen Ludlow, Mr Dean Sutton, Ms Elizabeth Ovey, Rev Jenny Impey, Mr John Logan and Dr Paul Sutton

    Currently funded projects include:

    • Southlands College Oral History Project
    • Professional Identity amongst Methodist ministers (research project)
    • Women's Religious Representation (conference)
    • "Being Built Together" (research project)
    • Social and Economic Impacts of UK Regional Casinos (research project)

    For more information on these projects and for contact details of those running them, please contact Gwen Brookes (details above).

    Charity no: 1100660
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