What We Fund

Our grants support young people under 25 in England and Wales facing hardship, disability, and barriers to education. Learn about the types of support we provide and how to apply.

Types of Support We Provide

We offer discretionary grants in four main areas. Each application is considered individually by our trustees based on the specific circumstances and need.

Education & Training

We help young people access education and develop skills that can improve their future prospects.

What we may fund:

  • Course fees for vocational training or further education
  • Books, equipment, and materials for study
  • Specialist equipment for learning (e.g., for students with disabilities)
  • Travel costs to attend educational courses
  • Costs associated with apprenticeships or work experience

Disability Support

We assist young people with disabilities to improve their quality of life and independence.

What we may fund:

  • Mobility aids and equipment
  • Communication devices and software
  • Home adaptations for accessibility
  • Therapeutic equipment
  • Specialist clothing or bedding
  • Support services not provided by statutory sources

Hardship & Essentials

We provide help during times of financial difficulty or crisis.

What we may fund:

  • Essential living costs during a crisis
  • Utility bill arrears (where there is risk of disconnection)
  • Essential furniture and household items
  • Clothing and shoes
  • Food vouchers in emergency situations
  • Costs associated with moving to safer accommodation

Health & Wellbeing

We support activities and treatments that promote physical and mental wellbeing.

What we may fund:

  • Counselling or therapy sessions
  • Sports equipment or club fees
  • Wellbeing activities and retreats
  • Health-related equipment not available on the NHS
  • Costs associated with recovery from illness or injury

What We Don't Fund

To ensure our limited funds reach those most in need, there are certain things we are unable to support:

  • Organisations or groups: We only fund individuals, not charities, schools, or other organisations.
  • Ongoing core costs: We don't provide regular, long-term funding for living expenses or bills.
  • Business start-ups or investments: We don't fund business ventures or commercial activities.
  • Debt repayment: We generally don't pay off existing debts, except in specific crisis situations.
  • Holidays or leisure travel: We don't fund holidays, trips abroad, or non-essential travel.
  • Gambling debts or legal fines: We don't cover gambling losses or court-imposed fines.
  • Projects outside England and Wales: We only support young people living in England and Wales.
  • People over 25: Our funding is specifically for young people under 25.

If you're unsure whether we might be able to help, please use our eligibility checker or contact us for advice before applying.

How to Apply

Our application process is designed to be straightforward while ensuring we have the information needed to make fair decisions.

1. Check Eligibility

Use our online eligibility checker to see if you might qualify for support. This takes about 5 minutes and provides guidance only.

Check Eligibility

2. Prepare Your Application

Gather information about your situation and any supporting documents. Our checklist helps you prepare.

View Checklist

3. Complete the Form

Submit our application form with details of your circumstances and how a grant would help.

Start Application

Important Information

Trustee Discretion

All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees. Meeting our eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding, as we receive many more applications than we can support.

Decision Making

Trustees consider each application individually, looking at the specific circumstances, level of need, and potential impact of a grant. They also consider the availability of funds and other applications received.

Response Times

We aim to respond to all applications within 8 weeks. If your situation is urgent, please indicate this clearly in your application.

Grant Amounts

Grant amounts vary depending on need and circumstances. We don't publish typical grant amounts as each award is individual.

Appeals

Due to the discretionary nature of our grants and the volume of applications, we're unable to enter into correspondence about decisions or consider appeals.

Ready to Apply?

If you think you might be eligible and have read the information on this page, the next step is to check your eligibility.

Check Your Eligibility Now

This checker takes about 5 minutes and provides guidance only.