Our Charitable Trust
Actions speak louder than words
We’ve always believed that true prosperity is about far more than financial success. Our commitment to making a positive difference sits at the heart of who we are, and one of the ways we live out this purpose is through the Paradigm Norton Trust.
Each year, a portion of our profits is dedicated to the Trust, where it is managed by our trustees and distributed by the governing council. Since launching the Trust in 2007, we’ve been able to give more than £600,000 to almost 300 charities, support that we’re incredibly proud of.
Our giving focuses on three areas where we believe we can have a meaningful and lasting impact:
- poverty alleviation
- child welfare
- education
Rather than supporting larger, well-funded organisations, we deliberately focus our donations on smaller charities, where our contribution can have a visible and significant impact. This allows us to track outcomes effectively and maintain regular updates on how our support makes a real difference.
What's next...
Looking to the future
While we aim to maintain consistency in our giving approach, we also recognise the importance of adapting to changing needs. The Paradigm Norton Trust is currently considering expanding our remit to include environmental initiatives.
This was prompted by our support of The Living Seawalls charity in Cornwall, which aims to create marine life habitats on and around human-made marine structures. This will reflect our commitment to ensuring our Trust’s policies align with evolving social and environmental values.
We expect to maintain our annual giving level of approximately £60,000 in the coming year, while continuing to adapt our approach to meet emerging community needs and challenges. We’re hugely proud of the difference we’ve made and remain committed to supporting causes that create lasting positive change. We’re also hoping to encourage more volunteering and giving by our partners.
Stories
Pipal Tree
Founded in 2015, Pipal Tree supports vulnerable people in Nepal.
Its aim is to transform marginalised rural communities by improving access to schools and skills, especially for girls and women. The charity is driven to help communities lift themselves from poverty and social exclusion, and genuinely flourish for decades to come. It doubled the value of the grant received from The Paradigm Norton Trust by channeling it through The Big Give Christmas Challenge.
“The funds contributed towards the operation of one of our Nepal partners, the Kathmandu-based social enterprise Lily’s Leaves which provides training and employment to vulnerable young women including six young deaf women. This year, we were able to extend the training to women in impoverished rural south Nepal and set up a nearby education centre. We wouldn’t enjoy half the success we do without discerning partners like The Paradigm Norton Trust, who know how to use The Big Give arrangement to maximum impact.”
Philip Holmes OBE MSc, Lt Col (retd), Founder/CEO Pipal Tree.
Stories
Murmuration Community Therapy
Combining therapeutic and community work, Murmuration Community Therapy enables parents of children with special education needs and disabilities to regularly connect and share in a safe, compassionate and non-judgmental space. This helps parents process sometimes complex feelings and develop real friendships with other people who understand. The organisation offers nurture groups, monthly gatherings, online options and mini retreats.
“The support of the Paradigm Norton Trust has enabled us to provide a regular and ongoing dose of mental health support to SEND parents in Bristol. Many parents of disabled children feel without support, abandoned or isolated in their situation, which takes a terrible toll on their wellbeing and capacity to cope. With this donation, we can offer a monthly gathering for the next two years to bring people who share similar struggles together to share, connect and process their experiences in community.”
Naomi Bonger and Poppy Villierezz | Founders of Murmuration Community Therapy
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DEKI
Deki is a small charity with big ambitions and believes everyone should have the opportunity to realise their potential and to create sustainable incomes. Deki’s mission, to empower hard-to-reach communities to be free from extreme poverty, remains at the heart of everything they do.
Deki was founded in 2008 and has been generously supported by Paradigm Norton since their early days.
Working in the Maritime region of Togo, together with their local partner, and the rural communities whom they support, they empower vulnerable families to develop sustainable livelihoods and become financially resilient. Deki has developed a holistic approach through four scalable programmes which specifically address the needs of these communities, tackling some of the key causes of poverty, and ensuring long-lasting, sustainable change.
Focusing on supporting rural livelihoods, increasing economic inclusion, gender equality and empowering female entrepreneurs, Deki’s programmes increase access to affordable healthcare, renewable energy and clean water for thousands of people. Deki continues to expand their rural outreach, making sure they are reaching those who need their services the most.
Stories
Children of the Dump
One of our longest-standing relationships is with Children of the Dump. This is a UK-based charity that delivers essential family support and compassionate care to underprivileged children living in dire conditions near the Payatas and San Isidro rubbish dumps in Manila.
People scavenge here daily for food scraps and rubbish that can be sold for recycling. It’s an unforgiving sweltering tropical environment, swarming with flies. The poverty is absolute. Normally children help out on the stinking, poisonous dump from a young age because there’s no money for childcare or schooling.
“Because of Children of the Dump’s support I went to a good school. Now I have two kids and a beautiful wife. I have a good life. I always tell this story to my children. I will never forget Children of the Dump.”
Mauel Reyes
We are actively involved with Children of the Dump and in regular contact. Our contribution helps to bring positive change and uplifts the communities through education and improving child welfare. We invited representatives from the charity to present at a previous summer team day. Our partners were very moved to hear about the charity’s work and the extreme situation facing these children.
“Paradigm Norton’s support has helped 200 students attend Cashew Tree early years school. This means they become students in demand, rather than automatic failures in the school system. Students with academic potential are selected for long-term support from the Grapevine Scholarship. Our residential home means over 350 children have a safe home, educational support, food and pride in their achievements.”
Kay Mackay, Chair | Children of the Dump
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Third Hope
The Paradigm Norton Trust has faithfully supported Third Hope since 2013. We are working in Uganda with ex-child soldiers on a programme of recovery that spans agricultural training, arts therapy and trauma counselling.
Initial funds helped us to plant trees, which continue to bear fruit! Subsequent funds have enabled us to begin work on a Peace Centre, focusing on healing and reconciliation within the community. Current support is being channeled towards working with ex-child soldiers who are learning sustainable agriculture. Having run a pilot programme with a small group of participants, we are now expanding this to thirty ex-child soldiers over the year ahead.
Chairman of Paradigm Norton Trust
Matt Goddard
“The Paradigm Norton Trust epitomises Paradigm Norton as a firm. We strive to make an impact on the lives of our clients, as well as the local community and overseas. People matter is a value of the firm, the Trust helps us deliver this value.”
Team
Meet our trustees
The Trust’s five trustees handle administration, finances and charity relationships. They work with the governing council and the Board to make sure we are deliberate and careful about where the money goes. Whether they are from existing charity partners, new requests, or referrals from partners, we consider all applications carefully.
Kim Barnard
Head of Marketing
Georgie Hopkinson
Compliance Officer
Lucy White
Senior Financial Planner
Matt Goddard
Client Manager
Sue Guttridge
Tax Team Coordinator