WEST

Wilkes Education Scholarship Trust (WEST) is a registered charity established in 2020 to improve the long-term life and employment opportunities of students of British African Caribbean (BAC) heritage. It focuses particularly on high-potential students from less well-off backgrounds who plan to study full time at university. WEST provides scholarship grants of up to £1,000 per academic year, with award amounts depending on university costs and available funding.

The charity aims to support up to 50 students each year and has helped several cohorts of grant recipients, some of whom have since graduated. Its website shares information about scholarship applications, grant recipients, alumni achievements and news. WEST also invites people to volunteer and welcomes donations from individuals and corporate entities.

As it receives no government funding, the charity relies exclusively on public generosity to sustain its work. Through financial support and community involvement, WEST seeks to help BAC heritage students pursue university-level education and broaden their future opportunities. The trust is registered in the UK as charity number 1182743