Charity Update

The Water Conservation Trust is encouraging new members of the Company to contribute to its work.

The Water Conservation Trust is the charitable arm of the Water Conservators Company, supporting education, learning and research in water, waste and the environment. Current activities include University and Schools programmes along with support to youth groups such Maidstone Sea Cadets. Charitable giving is a core purpose of the Livery, and our members give generously to support the Trust that currently distributes around £70k per year. However, we need further funds to be able to maintain our current level of activities and encourage new members to support us via regular giving.

Working With Schools

Over the last 10 years the Trust has supported projects at many schools to enhance water related science and environmental learning including installing and renovating school ponds, equipping a STEM laboratory, installing weather stations, restoring school wildlife areas, supplying river education packs and supporting disabled children with craft and learning facilities. We focus our funding on schools with a high percentage of disadvantaged children.

Our 2025/26 programme with current project funding in brackets includes:-

• Mayfly in the classroom sessions and YII Student for River Holme Connections (£5K/ann)
• Educational visits and Steam Explorers at the Museum of Water and Steam (£4k + £2.9k)
• Educational visits to Spitalfields City Farm (£4k)
• The schools educational programme at the new Quentin Blake Centre (£6.2k)
• Ysgol Y Gogarth School to support children with craft-based projects (£1k/ann)
• Developing growing and green spaces with rainwater harvesting at Winton School (£12.2k)
• Renovation of a horticultural area and greenhouse at Northease Manor School (£1.3k + £5k)
• Awarding pupil prizes to schools for projects associated with science and environmental learning.

Supporting Students

We offer financial help to MSc students who might not otherwise be able to participate in courses and undertake a wide range of water and environmental research: subjects include micro plastics, flood risk management, fracking and monsoons. We offer prizes and certificates at our Myddelton Lunch for the best dissertation at each supported University. We also mentor graduates and provide careers guidance. We have supported more than 210 students and awarded over 110 dissertation prizes. The Trust is providing £30k in funding to provide bursaries for students at 6 universities for 2025/26.

To contribute to the Trust please click on the link below and fill in the form.

WCT Funding flyer V11a payment page

For further information on the Trust’s activities visit the Charity section of the Water Conservators website or click on the following links :-

Water Conservation Trust – Schools Programme Update

Water Conservation Trust – River Holme Connections

Invest in your Future – Help us support education and research in water and the environment