The aim of the Laidlaw Youth Trust is to change lives. This is achieved by funding other charities to provide support and services which make a real difference to vulnerable children and young people in Scotland. The Trust currently plans to invest around £4 million per year to achieve this aim.
The Laidlaw Youth Project was set up in 2003 with funding from Irvine Laidlaw, now Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay, a leading Scottish philanthropist. Additional support was provided by Scotland's First Minister and the Scottish Executive. In 2007 the organisation became a registered charity and changed its name to the Laidlaw Youth Trust.
The Laidlaw Youth Trust has taken over the support of a wide range of activities across Scotland, many of which have already produced impressive results – find out more in Who we fund.
Lord Laidlaw's other main charitable activities include sponsoring the Excelsior Academy for West Newcastle and the Fondation Lord et Lady Laidlaw in Monaco.
The Trust wishes to build long term relationships with effective charities delivering exceptional outcomes for young people. And we continue to look for new partners. So if you have a project which you would like to discuss, please see the What we fund and How to apply sections of this website to learn more.