Grants and bursaries for young people

Take a look at the many organisations which offer grants and funding for young people
Southwark Council Small Grants 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 grant funding

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. 

Get child care costs paid whilst you learn (Care to Learn Scheme)

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

Grants for wood-craft related courses

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.

Borrow professional quality musical instruments if you're 15 to 25-years-old

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. 

Funding for specialised equipment to improve quality of life for young people with disabilities up to the age of 25

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. 

Educational Grants Advisory Service

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.

Small educational grants to students aged 14 and over (Family Action)

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.

Grants if you have a disabled or seriously ill child and need essential items (Family Fund)

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. 

Interest free loans for training (Futures for Women)
Training grants for professions where women are under-represented
Support for students aged 19+ facing money worries (Learner Support)

If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Learner Support

The money could help with, things like:

 

Educational grants for under 25s for arts or university courses, or apprenticeships

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.

Hospitality industry related grants

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.

Awards for under 25s for higher/further education and apprenticeships

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

Education grants for under 25s in SE1, SE11, SE17 and SE16

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).

Music making grants for 5 to 25s

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).

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