The Trust is keen to subsidise opportunities for local children to enjoy water activities on the lake and to encourage water confidence and safety. Grants have been made to all four outdoor centres to provide water sessions for those children resident in the five parishes that border the lake. Young people have taken advantage of the RYA On Board sailing club run by Water Park Adventure Centre.
Thurston Outdoor Centre was given a grant towards a summer water activities programme for local young people
Low Bank Ground has organised summer water activities for 7-11 year olds and the Priestley Centre for 11-16 year olds as well as offering a Family Watersports day,
Grants for Outdoor Providers for Watersports for Young People.
- The Rawdon-Smith Trust will continue to support young local participants, to the extent of two-thirds of their fees on the full range of water activities that centres can offer. Local family water activities can also be grant aided but adult-only activities are excluded.
- The residential component of any projects will not be eligible for funding.
- The Trust’s definition of “local” includes the five parishes that border Coniston Water, Crake Valley settlements and the Furness peninsula between the estuaries of the Duddon and the Leven, including Barrow-in-Furness.
- Land-based outdoor activities for young people will only be supported if they are part of a largely watersports provision.
- Grant applications should be made using the online form on the Trust’s website and these will be considered at the next meeting of the trustees.
- Payment will be given on completion of the projects following an invoice from the Outdoor Providers showing numbers of local young people attending and a short evaluation of the project.
- Grants are made on the understanding that reference is made to the support given by the Rawdon-Smith Trust in any advertising or promotion.
16th November 2025.