Our Grants

Read about some of the projects Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust has funded.

Only Boys Aloud (OBA) choir singing

“The grant to support our programme in Cardiff will make a considerable difference. The generosity of the Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust also gives us the confidence to plan ahead for the future, being more ambitious with our ideas.”

Hannah Beadsworth, Head of Development, The Aloud Charity

The Aloud Charity – Transforming Lives Through Music

In October 2024, Only Boys Aloud (OBA) in Cardiff relaunched with a fresh vision following a charity restructure. Every Monday evening, around 20 boys aged 11–19 come together to sing—free of charge—as part of a supportive, inclusive community.

Thanks to a grant from CEET, OBA Cardiff is expanding its volunteer support programme—ensuring expert care, quality tuition, and a more sustainable future for this vital work.

For two adopted brothers, this choir has been life-changing. Their mum shares:

“As Mum to two adopted boys, I have always been extremely mindful of safeguarding and can honestly say the Aloud team have always been brilliant. I can’t speak highly enough of the support shown to my children.

As soon as they were old enough, both boys joined Only Boys Aloud. They have had experiences they would not have had without their Aloud family. My children have struggled with confidence and self-worth but being part of OBA has had such a positive impact.

Both boys have had to overcome huge challenges in their life, and the Aloud family has been an integral part in enabling them to do that.”

Grange Pavillion – Thursday Study Club

The Thursday Study Club at Grange Pavilion is a partnership between Grange Pavilion Youth Forum and SEF Cymru, created to offer after-school academic support for young people in Cardiff, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Designed to address challenges like language barriers and limited support at home, the club provides a structured space with mentorship and targeted help in Maths, English, and Science. A standout feature is the peer mentoring system, where older students support younger ones, building confidence and collaboration.

One student, a Year 10 pupil, went from struggling in Maths to thriving—thanks to one-to-one support and encouragement. He now dreams of becoming an engineer.

Grant funding has been crucial in covering staffing, materials, and resources. Looking ahead, the programme plans to grow with digital tools, career workshops, and greater parental involvement—ensuring ongoing, high-quality support for every student.

“The Thursday Study Club has given me the confidence to ask questions and improve my grades. The mentors and tutors are really supportive, and I feel more prepared for my exams now.”

Year 10 student

“Volunteering at the Study Club has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing the students grow in confidence and improve academically is inspiring. The support from the grant has helped us provide essential resources and create an environment where young people can thrive.”

Rosheen, Volunteer Mentor

Wales Refugee Council – A Safe Space to Grow and Play

The Sanctuary Seeker and Refugee (SS&R) Play project is a place of safety, friendship, and fun—a home for children and families seeking sanctuary. Many arrive after months or years of trauma, placed in temporary housing with no choice or stability. Children often move with little more than a suitcase, leaving behind familiar comforts.

One family, recently moved yet again, shared how exhausting this is. A young girl, tired of moving, says, “I’m not going to live there always.” Her younger brother, just 3, keeps asking, “Mummy, let’s go home.”

Through weekly SS&R Play Project activities—art, music, dance, stories, and trips—children begin to heal. Each creative session supports emotional wellbeing, builds confidence, and helps develop essential skills for life and school.

Thanks to support from Cardiff Educational Endowment Trust, these children are finding joy, stability, and a place to belong.

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