Grants and bursaries for young people
In the coming months Southwark Council will launch the Small Grants For Young People Fund to help you pay to access certain activities or buy items you might not be able to afford. The criteria for applying will be:
- You have an activity you would like to do or item you would like to buy to enable you to do an activity but can’t afford
- You are you aged 11 to 19 (or up to 25 if you have special educational needs)
- You live in Southwark
You can apply for a minimum of £50 up to a maximum of £500 as an individual or as a group (only in exceptional circumstances requests above £500 be granted). Grants will be awarded all year round on a first come, first served basis and you will only be able to only apply once.
If you would like to be notified of when this opportunity goes live email youthinfo@southwark.gov.uk
The Arts Council provides grants for individuals or arts organisations involved in arts-related activities that benefit people in England, or that help artists and arts organisations in England to carry out their work.
If you are under 20 and want to start or return to learning, Care to Learn may be able to pay for your childcare costs.
The Carpenter's Company offers grants for wood-craft related education courses in the UK. Awards are considered annually in July. They also award grants for charitable causes which are considered annually in November. The closing date for the submission of completed forms is 1 October. Currently the maximum grant awarded is £5,000.
The Cherubim Music Trust loans professional quality instruments to help young musicians take the vital step from talented student to a career in music. The trust buys instruments through public donations.
The Children Today Charitable Trust supports children and young people with disabilities under 25. Grants are available for up to £1,000 to provide vital, life-changing specialist equipment, such as wheelchairs, walking aids, trikes, educational toys, communication aids, lifting and posturepaedic sleep equipment and specially designed sensory equipment like fibre optic sprays.
The Educational Grants Advisory Service helps students who are over 16, “taking their first steps on the educational ladder”, primarily assisting students who cannot receive statutory funding. Priority to lone parents, disabled, refugees, people from underprivileged backgrounds. It gives advice on how and where to obtain funds.
Family Action provide small educational grants to students aged 14 and over who are already studying on a further education course at a college which is affiliated with Family Action. Grants may be given to pay for 'additional costs' such as books and/or equipment required for the course, never for fees or daily living expenses.
The Family Fund is open to families with children and young people who have a severely disabled child aged 17 or under. They give grants for things that make life easier and more enjoyable for the disabled child, young person and their family, such as washing machines, driving lessons, computers and holidays. to families on the lowest of incomes to help relieve the stress of everyday life.
Futures for Women offers interest free loans of up to £1,000 to women training for professional, commercial or technical work. Loans are repaid by monthly instalment at a level decided by the Committee.
The Hilda Martindale Trust makes awards up to £3,000 to support women in training or education to follow a profession where women are underrepresented. Applicants must be female British Citizens.
The money could help with, things like:
- travel costs
- accommodation
- materials and equipment
- a laptop and wifi
- childcare with an Ofsted-registered childcare provider
Newcomen Collett Foundation is a small local charity that makes educational grants to young people under the age of 25 to support them to pursue courses in arts, music, dancing etc. Or to study at a post-secondary level or do an apprenticeships. Applicants must have been resident in Southwark for at least two years.
The Savoy Educational Trust gives grants to people entering or working in the hospitality industry, or charities offering hospitality related education projects. Either scholarships of £5,500 to young people to help with their training or grants up to £500 to pay for items such as books, uniform and kitchen equipment.
St Olave’s Foundation Fund give awards to students under 25 in Southwark in higher/further education, apprenticeships or other direct educational activities. They also consider awards for courses in the arts, music, dancing etc. Past grants have funded: a laptop, printer, books, educational materials, travel expenses, expenses associated with vocational training, musical instruments etc.
Email St Olave's Foundation if you have questions about grant applications.
Thomas Dickinson Charity makes educational grants to those aged under 25 in certain parts of Southwark. You need to live in or work in the area of benefit or have a parent or guardian that does. The eligible areas are most of SE1, parts of SE11 and SE17, and some of SE16 (Bermondsey but not Rotherhithe).
Youth Music runs a grants programme which encourages music making for 5 to 18 year olds (or up to 25 for those with special education needs, disabilities or in detention).