The Jon Hayward Memorial Trust (registered charity no. 1121391) has been providing music bursaries to Shropshire primary school children since 2008. They are now accepting referrals for the next academic year. They can part-fund lessons both in schools and those arranged privately. In both cases, they like to make contact through the school in the first instance to provide an impartial reference.
The JHM Trust are able to meet up to 50% of music lesson costs (up to a maximum of £250 per year) for a number of children in school years 3-6, whose families are unable to meet the full cost of tuition and do not qualify for funding from any other source. They also have a number of instruments (violins, guitars and a keyboard) available for free loan.
The Trustees will be meeting in July to look at all referrals and to decide which children the charity will be able to assist for the next academic year. Therefore, schools and families are asked to send any referrals to the postal address provided by Friday 11th July for consideration of funding from September 2025. The referral needs to be completed by the school and a parent/carer; a form has been sent to school.
Their bursaries are based upon financial need, so they ask for a family’s income details. Proof of this from Child Tax Credit statement will need to be provided either by enclosing a copy, or by the school verifying that they have seen this.
The Jon Hayward Memorial Trust was set up in memory of a well-known Shropshire folk musician who sadly died in November 2006. Jon was passionate about music and always enjoyed sharing this with others. He particularly loved to see children developing their musical ability. Over the last 18 years family and friends have raised funds to enable us to assist children across Shropshire.
Please see Mrs Williams, our music lead with any queries.