Education & Charity

The Stationers' Foundation

The Company’s involvement in training and education began around 1557 when ‘apprentice’s indentures’ were drawn up by the Company and printing houses were obliged to present their apprentices at Stationers’ Hall, for the fee of sixpence, during their first year.

In 1861 the Company opened the first Stationers’ School to benefit the sons of the Liverymen and Freemen of the Company.  A larger school followed but unfortunately it was closed in 1984.
Today there are a number of ways in which the charity supports training and education including:

• Careers Day – held annually with approximately 500 students attending from 35 schools.  The day provides an opportunity for students to meet those actively involved in the printing and publishing industries and to take part in a number of interactive exhibits
• Quarterly Awards – for students requiring assistance towards the cost of starting or continuing their education
• Annual Awards – for students intending to pursue a course of study associated with the Company’s Trades
• Francis Mathew Scholarships – for students wishing to travel whilst following a course of study associated with the Company’s Trades
• Prize and Scholarship Fund – for students following a course of study associated with the Company’s Trades at local Colleges and Universities
• Postgraduate Bursary Scheme – for students on selected postgraduate courses at selected universities. Please click here to learn more about the Postgraduate Bursary Scheme

Please click here for a copy of the Educational Charity’s Brochure

Please click here to learn more about the Scholarships on offer

Charitable Funds

Benevolent Fund
The Benevolent Fund is the working title for the following two charities which, while treated as a single charity for the purposes of registration and accounting, remain as separate charities:

Charity Fund 1961
Following The Stationers' and Newspaper Makers' Company Act 1961, which wound up the English Stock (the former trading arm of the Company), Charity Fund 1961 was established. The purpose of the Fund is to apply the income to such charitable institutions as the trustees may decide. Currently funds are disbursed to Trade Benevolent Societies and other institutions associated with the Company, and also to civic and other appeals, including The Lord Mayor's Charity. A list of donations is published annually.

Welfare Fund
The Welfare Fund represents an amalgamation of 24 charities representing old gifts and bequests. The Fund either makes grants of money or pays for items, services or facilities for members of the Company, their families and others who are in need. It also pays pensions, principally to those related to the Printing Industry and Allied Trades. Grants are allocated by our Honorary Almoner who is also available to provide advice and moral support for members and their families who get into difficulty. More detail of the support available is available on the Welfare Fund page which you can access by clicking here.

The Library & Archives
The Company's Library, situated above the Court Room at Stationers' Hall, contains many books on the history of the trades of the Guild and of particular firms in them. It includes reference works of use to researchers in the Company's Archives (almost complete from 1554), a few specialised periodicals, and books on the city of London . Certain books may be borrowed by Liverymen and Freemen.
Both the Library and Archives are administered by The Library Trust, a Registered Charity whose Trustees are the Master and Wardens. Liverymen wishing to contribute are invited to subscribe or covenant to The Friends of the Library and Archives, details of which are available from the Clerk or Hon. Librarian.
The Library is open on Monday from 11am until 3pm and at other times, by appointment with the Hon. Librarian. Telephone 020 8750 4264.

The Educational Charity
The object of the Company's registered Charity is to assist young people, usually under 25, who need financial assistance, unobtainable from any other source, towards the costs of education or training. Help may be given with the costs of independent education, where there is a demonstrable need, having regard to the relevant means. Preference is given to the sons and daughters of former pupils of The Stationers' Company School, of Liverymen and Freemen of the Company and those engaged in or intending to enter one of the Trades of the Guild. Major Awards are made annually to enable students to pursue a course of study or educational project of particular merit.

Non-Charitable Funds

Tintcap Limited
The Principle activity of Tintcap Limited continues to be that of holding and managing Company investments.

The Hall Preservation Fund
The Hall Preservation Fund was set up in 1978 to provide a future endowment for the Hall buildings. Its purpose is to help in the cost of maintaining the buildings and in particular for rectifying some unexpected and expensive defect (e.g. dry rot) that the regular maintenance budget would not cover. The Fund is a Trust, and so far the Trustees have not had to spend and of the Fund's capital, which has been slowly increasing through reinvested interest and donations. The Trustees' investment policy is to attempt to more than maintain its value in real terms (after allowing for inflation and any future expenditure) over the years. Liverymen may inspect the accounts of the Fund which are held in the Clerks office.
Donations from Liverymen are welcome and should be sent to the Clerk. Our fine premises are one of the Company's greatest assets. Donations and legacies are ways in which present Liverymen can help their successors in what is likely to be a growing financial burden – to keep the Hall in first-class condition.

All enquiries relating to awards, which will be treated in the strictest confidence, should be addressed to:

Mr Ian Larkham, The Printing Charity, First Floor, Underwood House, 235 Three Bridges Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1LS Tel: 01293 542820 Fax: 01293 524826. Email:  ian@theprintingcharity.org.uk