The Chester Bluecoat Charity helps to tackle the causes of poverty, disadvantage and inequality across the city.
Based in the historic Bluecoat building, we give funding to community and educational organisations, offer almshouse accommodation to people in need and provide rentable and affordable offices & meeting rooms in the heart of Chester.
As the city’s oldest charity, The Chester Bluecoat Charity is proud to have been helping the people of Chester and the surrounding area for more than 800 years.
To read about the impact The Chester Bluecoat Charity made in 2022, please click here (opens in new tab).
Grant Giving
We support some of the most disadvantaged in society by funding organisations that work to improve peoples’ lives through social unity, community development and education. Applicants have a choice of two types of grant to apply for – strategic funding and small funding.
Over the years, our grants have helped a variety of local charities with people of all ages benefit from our funding.
Meeting room hire
The Grade II listed Bluecoat building has two meeting rooms available for hire at competitive rates at The Bluecoat – the Conference Room and the Oak Room. So, whether you’re looking for a quick meeting or a full day of brainstorming, our meeting rooms can accommodate from 12 up to 70 people and are situated right at the heart of the city.
Almshouses
Our comfortable and secure almshouse accommodation is situated in Bluecoat Square. The small estate of homes, set around a courtyard at the rear of The Bluecoat building, is for local people in need and usually aged over 60.
Office space
The Chester Bluecoat Charity owns and is based at, the Grade II listed Bluecoat building, a hub for charities and voluntary organisations in Upper Northgate Street.
Here, we offer affordable and accessible office space for local third sector organisations.
History of The Chester Bluecoat Charity
The Charity’s history dates from 1837, when 31 local charities were united under the umbrella of one charity, with each one being run in accordance with its own deed. Other charities joined in 1892 and 1976.
Over the years the income of the smaller charities dried up and in 1976 a new deed dissolved the old charities. Four new charities were created in their place: Chester Municipal Almshouse Charity; Chester Municipal Relief Charity; Owen Jones Relief Charity; and Owen Jones Education Charity.
In 2010 the four charities were dissolved and combined into one organisation, Chester Municipal Charities (1077806), now renamed The Chester Bluecoat Charity which is overseen by a board of trustees.