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CHARITY SETS NEW 10-YEAR RECORD BY APPROVING OVER £200,000 IN INTEREST-FREE LOANS

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity [STWLC] has announced that 13 interest-free loans totalling £206,000 were awarded to people within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the third quarter of 2023 – a new 10-year record allocation amount for the Charity.

Totalling £206,000, the latest sum in interest-free loans is to be utilised to either fund business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Ten businesses, including a travel agency, joinery and shop fitting company and a food outlet, are to receive a share of £179,500 in interest-free loans to launch or grow their business.

Meanwhile, three interest-free education loans totalling £26,500 have been approved to support tuition and living costs for postgraduate education, with chosen courses including a Physician Associate Studies MSc and Conservation Studies.

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “Back in June, we announced that a new 10-year record allocation amount had been set when we approved £182,500 in interest-free business and education loans in the second quarter of 2023. Incredibly, the amount we’ve approved this quarter is even higher, totalling more than £200,000!

“This shows that more and more people are finding out about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity and the interest-free loans we offer, while also demonstrating the ever-increasing appetite among Leicestershire entrepreneurs and students to grow professionally and academically.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that our support has reached new heights this year. I would encourage anyone interested in launching or growing a business, or returning to university for postgraduate education, to get in touch. We’re here to help!”

For more information on our interest-free business loans, please click here, or click here to learn more on our interest-free education loans.

Esme Nicholson Title

Esme’s Dog Grooming Business Blooming

by Business Success Stories

When it comes to business, sometimes the timing is just right – even in the most unusual of circumstances.

That certainly proved to be the case of Esme Nicholson, who in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic utilised the time available as a result of lockdowns and restrictions to focus on becoming her own boss.

The 24-year-old, born and bred in Leicester, runs Lulu Dog Services, a dog grooming studio based in Clarendon Park. Whilst many of Esme’s friends opted for university, she decided to revisit Brooksby Melton College to study dog grooming. After completing her course with distinction, Esme found employment and, in late 2019, was met with the realisation that she had the ability to start her own business.

Lee Tomes

Orange Fox Studios’ Growth Continues

by Business Success Stories

Throughout the last couple of unprecedented years, which saw the COVID-19 pandemic turn many people’s worlds upside down, stories have been told of silver linings.

From more time spent with families to the ability to reflect and make life-changing alterations, many people have spoken of the positives found with regard to the impact lockdowns and restrictions had.

Sir Thomas White Loan Charity business loan borrower and ambassador Lee Tomes is one of those people to be able to reflect on the past two years and highlight professional positives, as he revealed how fortunate he feels to have seen his video production company, Orange Fox Studios, grow during the pandemic.

“When the pandemic started, it was so unprecedented that, as a business owner, the worry was there immediately,” Lee admitted. “I actually had a bit of a slow period at the back end of 2019 leading into 2020, but there was so much going on that I sort of expected that. However, from 1 June 2020 to now, it’s not slowed down. It’s been full-on in terms of work and we’ve come through really strong, which is great.”

Alexander Saunders Title

Saunders Multi-Media: Providing The Means To Create A Business

by Business Success Stories

Alexander Saunders always knew he wanted to build something within Leicester and, thanks to an interest-free business loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, he has been able to do just that.

The founder of Saunders Multi-Media found opportunities to work within the media locally hard to come by following graduation from university. Having worked on a freelance basis for a number of companies within their production departments, Alexander made the leap and set off on the path of becoming his own boss.

“When I left my role with (retailer) Next, I started to pick up more freelance work, starting with the odd favour for friends, but soon it started to snowball and pick up from there,” explained Alexander. “It was at that point that I realised that, with a bit of funding, I could turn what I was doing into a legitimate business.”

Saunders Multi-Media specialises in the fields of videography and photography, working extensively within music sector, crafting music videos and covering live events, in addition to producing material for a variety of promotional purposes.

That bit of funding he required came courtesy of The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, which Alexander discovered through connecting with business support provider NBV. That support through NBV provided Alexander, admittedly a complete newcomer to the world of running a business, with knowledge and insight to accompany his professional skills.

“Looking back, I wish I’d applied sooner,” admitted Alexander when discussing The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity. “I was probably a bit taken aback, thinking it was too good to be true. When I first heard about it, I thought it sounded amazing. If I didn’t have the support of the charity, 100% I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.

“I was able to undertake a couple of business courses, which I took prior to applying for the loan, which were useful. At the start, it was very hard. I had the knowledge and entry level equipment, but didn’t have the business acumen needed to run a business. I found out about the charity through NBV, as one of the advisers there – Gau Naik – is a trustee. I was directed onto NBV’s courses, which helped form my business plan and I was able to then go through the charity’s application process. The support I received from NBV and the courses was excellent – and if it wasn’t for those courses, I wouldn’t have been in the position to develop a realistic business.”

From that point, Alexander felt in a position to put his business idea and what he’d learned from NBV into practice by applying for an interest-free loan to get his business up and running.

“The application process was relatively easy, especially with the support that I had” said Alexander. “It was a case of tweaking a couple of bits from my business plan. It helped me look at things in depth and be realistic. Sometimes you have to mediate and be grounded, realise where you are actually at, rather than where you think you are. NBV’s guidance helped with that. It helped me grow as a person.

“I felt confident going into the interview, of course nervous to start with as you always are in those situations. You quickly realise that the people you’re speaking to want to help you.”

After seeing his application for a loan approved, Alexander utilised the funding to purchase professional videography equipment, which in turn enabled him to deliver a greater service than ever before, whilst a sum was also set out for marketing purposes; namely a new website for his business.

“I’ve always encouraged anybody interested in applying for a loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to go for it,” admitted Alexander. “I’ve got friends in similar situations to me when I left uni, working in a corporate job and not enjoying it, and I say to them that they should go for it and take a risk while they’re young. When you have a charity like The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity that has terms which enable you to build something, you owe it to yourself to try. It’s a personal loan, so it’s not held against the business. Me personally, I’m only paying back £80 a month.

“It’s a worthy investment in your future. I wouldn’t be where I am without the charity.”

To learn more about Saunders Multi-Media, please visit https://www.saundersmultimedia.com/

Alternatively, please click here to find out more about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free business loans.

Grant Scheme Launch Website

Charity To Deliver Grants Of Up To £5,000 To Businesses Within The County

by News

Having provided interest-free loans to help support aspiring and existing business owners within Leicestershire and Rutland since 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that it is now welcoming applications for grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses within the county.

Following a hugely successful pilot business grant scheme in 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has ensured further support be delivered in the same way this year, as the country continues to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of £50,000 has been allocated by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to be delivered in business grants for 2022, and provides an additional opportunity for one of the city’s oldest charities to help more businesses at what has been an unprecedented period. Whereas the charity’s interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all.

Lucy Womack Chair Title

Charity Announces New Chair of Trustees

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce the appointment of Lucy Womack as Chair of Trustees

Having served as a trustee of the charity for a decade, Lucy’s appointment as Chair of Trustees will see her become the first-ever female to take on the role, whilst Lucy also becomes a third-generation member of her family to be named Chair of Trustees after both her father and grandfather fulfilled the role in years gone by.

Throughout her time as a trustee with The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, Lucy has been at the forefront of the charity’s scholarship programme. The programme, which provides high-performing pupils in the county with an opportunity to study at one of Leicestershire and Rutland’s independent schools, has seen recipients obtain places at some of the country’s most prestigious universities.

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Space to Teach

by Business Success Stories

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication and importance of the nation’s teachers was deservedly highlighted, through the adaptation to remote learning or the continuation of educating children of key workers across the country.

However, for many, the pandemic also provided an unprecedented opportunity for individuals to reflect on all facets of life: work, family, living; many people were able to obtain fresh perspective.

For Victoria Corcoran, a foot was in both of the aforementioned camps. A teacher with 14 years of experience, Victoria was employed by one of the county’s schools throughout the early stages of the pandemic. However, eager to juggle her passion for teaching with a busy family life, Victoria identified an opportunity to become self-employed and start her own business – and Victoria Corcoran Tutoring was born.

Business-Open

Over £455,000 Delivered in Interest-Free Loans by Charity in 2021

by News

As we enter 2022, Leicester-based The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has announced that a total of £455,950 was delivered to people aged 18 to 45 within the county, in the form of the charity’s unique interest-free loans, throughout 2021.

Established in 1542 after a dowry was left to the city of Leicester by Sir Thomas White in 1542, today The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid business start-up or development within the county, or interest-free loans of up to £10,000 to students wishing to study at postgraduate level to enhance their career prospects.

Running four application windows on a quarterly basis throughout the year, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has confirmed that a total of £289,650 was delivered in the form of 22 interest-free loans to start or grow businesses in 2021.

Stock Photo - Business Owner

Interest-Free Loans Totalling £145,500 Awarded to People in Leicestershire & Rutland

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to announce that 12 interest-free loans were awarded to people within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the final quarter of 2021.

Totalling £145,500, the latest sum in interest-free loans is to be utilised to either fund business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Established in 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education.

At the culmination of 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity approved eight loans totalling £105,500 which will support the start-up or development of local business ventures, including a cleaning service, vegan fast-food outlet and a clothing retailer.

Of the eight loans for business approved, one delivered additional support to a business that had already benefited from one of the charity’s loans previously, highlighting the continued backing on offer from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity.

A further four loans, totalling £40,000, was approved to support students wishing to return to university to study for postgraduate qualifications, which include a PhD in chemistry and Mphil Classical Archaeology.

David Howard, Chair of Trustees of The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to approve a total of £145,500 at the culmination of 2021, but looking ahead to 2022, we simply want to help more people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“It’s been another challenging year for so many people, who have felt the effect of the on-going pandemic on the economy. The loans on offer from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity are truly unique. Nowhere else can you borrow up to £20,000 interest-free to help start or grow a business, nor would you get three years before equal monthly repayments start. We do offer that, so I’d encourage anybody who feels they could benefit from such support in 2022 to consider applying.”

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our Business Loans and Education Loans pages.

The next deadline for applications is 3.30pm on Tuesday 4 January 2022.

Logo Design

Ten Loans Approved in Latest Quarter by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to reveal that a total of £101,300 was approved in interest-free loans for people in Leicestershire in the third quarter of 2021.

One of the county’s oldest charities, having been established in 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides interest-free loans to people within Leicestershire and Rutland, either to fund postgraduate education or to enable people to start or develop businesses.

In the latest quarter, three business ventures are set to benefit from a collective £40,000, including a beauty salon and café.