Benefits and grants for individuals

Aswell as funding and grants for voluntary and community organisations there are alot of funding opportunities for individuals, some of which we have listed below. We have tried to categorise these as much as possible but you may wish to look at all possible relevant categories for your requirements. The categories are:

  • Disadvantaged people
  • Disabled and sick people
  • Learning and experience- adults
  • Arts
  • Sport
  • The environment, food and farming
  • Energy efficiency
  • Children and young people- disadavantaged
  • Children and young people- education and learning
  • Children and young people- disabled and sick

Benefits and grants for indidviduals  Turn2us is a free and accessible website that exists to help people access the money available to them – through benefits, grants and other financial help. It helps people find appropriate sources of financial support, quickly and easily, based on their particular needs and circumstances. For more information: www.turn2us.org.uk or call 0808 802 2000.

Heroes of WWII  BIG Lottery have funding available to help veterans that saw active services and are resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland to take part in commemorative visits to mark the anniversary of events that led to the end of WWII. The Heroes Return 2 fund gives out grants of up to £5,500. Phone them on 0845 0000121 or visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_heroes_return.htm?regioncode=_uk&status=theProg&tab=2#01

Your local clubs  If you want to do something like take part in charity work abroad, or take a course or qualification that could really benefit a local sports club you are part of, have you thought about contacting your local Lions Club or Rotary Club to ask them if they have any funds available to sponsor a local person in their area?
To find out where your local Lions Club is and how to contact them visit: http://www.lionsmd105.org/ or phone 0845 8339502
To find out where your local Rotary Club is and how to contact them go to: http://www.ribi.org/ or phone 01789 765411

UnLtd is inviting young people aged between 11 and 25 to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to create positive change in their communities. Live UnLtd will support with the running of the project. For more details visit: http://www.liveunltd.com/ or phone 0207 566 1100.

DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE

South West Water would like to help customers who are struggling to pay their water bills. Their Water Debt Gateway can be reached by calling the Freshstart Team on 01752 507704 or e-mail freshstart@plymouthcab.org.uk

Aid for the Aged in Distress aims to help older people who are financially stretched beyond their means to the point of genuine distress. They can provide grants for various items such as mobility scooters, radiators, cleaning, central heating boilers etc. For more information: http://www.aftaid.org.uk/grantapp.html or phone 0870 8031950.

Crisis Loans  Are you in severe financial trouble? If so Government Crisis Loans may be able to help. They can give up to £1,500 interest free loans for people in severe need e.g no food to feed the family or the roof of the home has caved in. These can be applied for through your local Jobcentre.

There are various more local charities who have funding available for residents in need on a Parish or Town basis:

  • Broadclyst Relief in Need Charity have one off grants of up to £100 available to people in need who live in Broadclyst. For more information phone 01392 467541
  • Colyton Parish Lands Charity has one-off and recurrent grants available to people in need in the Parish of Colyton. For more information phone 01297 553593
  • Exminster Feoffees have funding of up to £200 and goods in kind for people who need who live in Exminster. For more information phone 01392 832674
  • Honiton United Charities have grants available for people in need whose needs are not met by government agencies and live in Honiton. For more information phone 01404 41221
  • Ottery Feoffee Charity have one off or recurrent funding available for people in need who live in Ottery St Mary. For more information phone 01404 812228
  • Sidmouth Consolidated Charities have grants available for people in need who live in Sidmouth. For more information phone 01395 513079

Help in Devon  The Lord Clinton Charitable Trust may be able to offer grants to assist you. You should apply by sending a letter explaining your current circumstances including why you need funds and giving your contact details to Lord Clinton Charitable Trust, Devon Clinton Estates, Rolle Estate Office, Bicton Arena, East Budleigh EX9 7BL. All applications will be assessed on an individual basis.

Support for people who are in financial hardship due to disability  The League of Helping Hand has grants of between £50 and £250 available to support people who are in financial hardship due to a physical disability, mental health problem, learning disability or be caring for an adult or child who is disabled, elderly or ill. Applications are considered every three weeks. For more information: www.lhh.org.uk

Women in Need  The Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances has grants available to individual women who are living alone in their own home (either owned or rented) in genuine need, irrespective of age or social status, or to organisations working with such women. For more information: www.salrc.org

The Prince’s Trust Business Programme has low interest loans available of up to £4,000 for young people who want to start their own business. The young people must be 18- 30, unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week. As well as the loan there is free business support and access to a wide range of products and service. For more information: http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/enterprise_programme.aspx

DISABLED AND SICK PEOPLE

Devon Foundation  The Northcott Devon Foundation have funding for families and children in need due to a mental or physical disability. Grants to individuals or registered charities based in Devon. For more information phone 01395 269204

Exmouth Welfare Trust  Exmouth Welfare Trust have one off grants for people in need who live in the urban district of Exmouth who are convalescent, infirm or disabled. Food, clothing, medical care, equipment, cookers and travel to and from hospital may be funded. Apply in writing by sending a letter explaining your situation and costings to The Secretary, PO Box 16, Exmouth, EX8 3YT.

Budleigh Salterton  Budleigh Salterton Nursing Association have grants of up to £500 available for people in need who live in Budleigh Salterton who are sick, convalescent, disabled or infirm. These are one off grants for medical items, services and facilities. For more information phone 01395 442304

Funding for individuals  The Elizabeth Finn Trust has funding available for people from the UK who can no longer earn a living due to physical or mental problems, loss of work and family breakdown, or those struggling on a low income in retirement. You must have less than £4,000 in savings and lacking enough household income. Applicants will be means tested. For more information: http://www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk/ or phone 0800 413220

LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE FOR ADULTS

Are you an adventurer?  The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship aims to support a wide variety of good causes through offering you the opportunity to increase your knowledge and experience through overseas travel in order to benefit others within your community. Applicants must be 18 years or over, and the Fellowship scheme does not cover Gap year projects, attendance on courses, academic studies, or student grants. For more information: www.wcmt.org.uk

ARTS

Arts Council  The Arts Council gives grants to individuals and organisations. You can find information on how the The Arts Council funds grants for the arts at: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/index.php

Artsmatrix  Artsmatrix lists opportunities for artists in training, funding, business and development programmes. You can find out about funding at: http://www.artsmatrix.org.uk/Opportunities/Funding/tabid/83/Default.aspx  

Fine Arts Funding  The Elephant Trust has funding available of up to about £2,000 to help artists and institutions develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of fine arts in the UK. For more information: www.elephanttrust.org.uk

Craft Entrepreneurs  The Crafts Council has funding available through its Development Award Scheme for contemporary crafts in the UK. The scheme is open to designer-makers who are within three years of setting up their own business in England. For more information: www.craftscouncil.org.uk

Funding for craftspeople  The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) has scholarships of between £2,000 and £15,000 available to individuals for improving their knowledge of a wide range of modern and traditional crafts. Applicants must be living and working permanently in the UK, already have skills in their craft and be firmly committed to their craft or trade. For more information: www.qest.org.uk or phone 020 78282268

Awards for Young Musicians  Awards for Young Musicians makes awards of between £200 and £2,000, based on evidence of musical talent and financial need. For more information:http://www.a-y-m.org.uk/ or phone 0117 9049906

Music makers and performers  The BBC Performing Arts Fund has grants available to help aspiring music-makers and performers looking for a way to get ahead. For more information: www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund

Do you have a performance group?  The Performing Right Society Foundation has grants available twice a year for performance groups based in the UK, including duos, bands and symphony orchestras, who perform together in public regularly. The scheme is to support sustained activity rather than one-off performances. For more information: www.prsfoundation.co.uk

Musicians  The Musicians Benevolent Fund has grants of between £200 and £1,000 available to young musicians under the age of 19. Awards are made to those with a high level of talent and a financial need. For more information: www.mbf.org.uk

Music Instruments The EMI Music Sound Foundation Instrument and Equipment Awards provides grants of up to £2,000 to individuals in full time education to help towards the purchase of musical instruments and/ or equipment. For more information: www.musicsoundfoundation.com or phone 020 7795 7000.

Arts funding  The Fidelio Charitable Trust has funding available for the dramatic and operatic arts, music, speech and dance. Institutions, colleges, arts festivals and other arts organisations can apply, along with selected individuals (who are not seeking support for themselves). For more information: www.fideliocharitabletrust.org.uk

European Art  The European Cultural Fund has grants available of up to £60,000 to cultural organisations and individual artists and their partners from other eligible European countries. The programme supports outstanding artistic projects which show vision in illuminating the issues of diversity in Europe. For more information: www.eurocult.org

SPORT

Sport England  Sport England is the national development agency for sport and a good starting point in the search for funding. Their main website is: www.sportengland.org

Are you a talented athlete?  The Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme has bursaries available from £1,000 to £10,000 to support young people aged 16- 24 who want to realise their potential as an athlete and be involved in performance sport. The young people should be continuing formal education or be employed. For more information: www.tass.gov.uk

Talented young athletes  Talented young athletes may like to look at the SportsAid website:  www.sportsaid.org.uk/about/ and links www.sportsaid.org.uk/resources/

Young athletes  The John Taylor Foundation has grants available to support young amateur athletes in the UK by allowing them to pursue opportunities in amateur athletics. Applications are considered twice a year. For more information: www.johntaylorfoundation.org.uk

Elite Young Athletes  The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund has funding available for elite young athletes who are still in education to help them with training and equipment costs. Applicants must be aged 15- 23. For more information: www.rpmf.org.uk or phone 01438 715814

Young, female golfers  The ELGA Trust has funding available to help young, female golfers in need. It will fund the cost of purchasing essential equipment, tuition, accommodation and travel. For more information: www.englishwomensgolf.org

THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND FARMING

Help for entrepreneurs  The Devon Wessex Reinvestment Society have loans available of up to £5,000 for entrepreneurs young and old for starting up or expanding businesses. They would particularly like to lend to enterprises specializing in the rural economy which create jobs for local people in food, horticulture, farming and environmentally friendly businesses. For more information: www.wessexrt.co.uk

Environmental Research and Field Trips  The Alice McCosh Trust has grants of up to £1,000 available for work or study related to natural history and/ or the environment, such as field trips, expeditions, or the development of new teaching materials. For more information: www.thealicemccoshtrust.org.uk

Forestry  The Educational and Scientific Trust have grants and awards available to help people further their advancement in the field of forestry education. For more information: http://www.charteredforesters.org/

Farming communities
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution has support available for retired and working farmers and their families, farm workers, disabled and those in need in farming communities. This can include help with household bills, care home fees and special needs. For more information: 01865 727888

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The Npower Energy Trust has funding available to individuals, charities and money advice agencies to help people take control of their finances and reduce the burden of their debts. The process is managed by Charis Grants Ltd. For more information visit: http://www.npowerenergytrust.org.uk/ or phone 01733 421060

Renewable Energy  Devon Association for Renewable Energy (DARE) are very knowledgable about renewable energy options for householders and organisations, as well as having information on grants available. For more information: www.devondare.org or phone 01837 89200

Grants for homes  If you are considering home improvements then you may be eligible for a grant to help you to implement energy saving measures. You can search for a grant from the My Home section of the Energy Saving Trust website at: http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/gid/index.cfm?sec=1

British Gas Energy Trust  Grants are available to help individuals and families in need meet arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs. Applicants must be customers of British Gas. The Trust will also fund voluntary sector organisations to provide debt advice services. For more information: http://www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/ or phone 01733 331177

EDF Trust  The EDF Energy Trust has funding available to help its customers in financial need clear energy debt  and may help with other bills and costs.For more information: www.edfenergytrust.org.uk

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE- DISADVANTAGED

Fun and Happiness  KidsOut has grant aid available to help disadvantaged children up to the age of 18 have fun. They provide a helpine for support on many issues, play opportunities and also small grants to individuals, families, schools and groups for the purchase of special play equipment, holidays, toys and outings. For more information: www.kidsout.org.uk or phone 01525 385232

Support for disadvantaged children  The Frank Buttle Trust has on-off grants available for equipment for children with illness, distress, neglect, disability, severe poverty and deprivation etc. Applications must be made through a statutory agency or voluntary organisation. For more information: www.buttletrust.org

Family Holidays  The Family Holiday Association specialises in providing holidays for disadvantaged families and children. The family must be on a low income, must have at least one child aged 3 or over , must not have been on holiday for at least 4 years and the family must be referred by a welfare professional. For more information: www.fhaonline.org.uk or phone 0207 3237280

Aid for Girls  Devon and Cornwall Aid for Girls Trust have one-off and recurrent grants available for young women (aged 16- 23) living in Devon or Cornwall who are in need. This includes education grants. For more information phone 01752 776612

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE- EDUCATION AND LEARNING

Local education grants  There are various small local grants available to help fund education (books/ equipment and fees):

  • Devon Educational Trust- Students under 25 who have lived in Devon for at least a year can apply for grants up to £500, write to The Clerk, PO Box 86, Teignmouth TQ14 8ZT
  • Broadclyst Relief in Need Charity- Disadvantaged students can apply for grants of up to £100, phone 01392 467541
  • Colyton Parish Lands Charity- Education grants to people in need, phone 01297 553593
  • Elmgrant Trust- South West Trust with a preference to special educational needs and for schoolchildren with serious family difficulties, phone 01803 863160
  • Dyke Exhibition Foundation- Students under 25 who have lived in Devon for 3 years or been educated here for 2 years can apply for grants of up to £300, phone 01823 284444
  • Sidmouth Consolidated Charities- Education grants to young people from Sidmouth, phone 01395 513079

Axminster Young People  Axminster Millenium Trust provide modest grants to young people aged 15- 25 who live in Axminster and surrounding areas to fund their personal development. Will fund study/ travel abroad, exchange visits and expeditions of a recreational or educational nature. For more information: 01297 35310

Funding for construction students  The Construction Youth Trust has some funding available to enable young people to access the opportunities in training and employment in the constuction industry. The Trust gies out individual bursaries and also offers advice and guidance. For more information: www.constructionyouth.org.uk or phone 020772274560

Talented students  Devon County Council has grants of £100- £250 to support gifted and talented students who attend Devon County Council schools. It is to help pupils who have achieved national or international recognition at sports, arts, music etc with a financial need. For more information contact Tracy Sapiecha at Devon County Council, 0845 155 1015

Live near Exeter?  Exeter Municipal Charities has funding available to help young people under the age of 25 attend school, college or university by providing books, equipment, tuition fees, uniforms or special clothing and travel assistance. Applicants must live within 15 miles of Exeter. For more information: www.exetermunicipalcharities.org.uk/education.html

The Farringdon House Trust- grants for young people resident in Devon aged under 21 for further education or training. http://www.farringdonhouse.org.uk/

Devon Educational Trust- Grants of £100- £500 for people under 25 whose normal place of residence is Devon towards the expenses of education and the arts. For more information write to: Clerk to the Trustees, PO Box 86, Teginmouth TQ14 8ZT.

Young writers  The Young Writers Charitable Trust has funding available for young people up to the age of 18 to help them with their writing, including poetry. For more information: www.youngwritertrust.org

Young people and business  The Prince’s Trust Business Programme has funding and other support measures available to young people wishing to start their own business. The programme can support young people who are aged 18- 30, unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week and living in England. For more information: www.princes-trust.org.uk

Scholarships  Qest scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £15,000. The scholarships can be used for further study, training or practical experience for the improvement of trade and craft skills. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have a high level of skill and are firmly committed to their craft. For more information: www.qest.org.uk or phone 020 7828 2268

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE- DISABLED AND SICK

Devonian Trust  The Devonian Trust considers applications from children with physical disabilities living in Devon. Organistions helping children or adults with physical disabilities may also apply. Apply in writing explaining your current situation and monies required to 59 Wonford Road, Exeter EX2 4UF

Disabled Children  Children Today provides funding for specialised equipment for disabled children for their home use. For more information: http://www.children-today.org.uk/ or phone 01244 335622

Support for students  The Snowdon Award scheme has funding available from £250 to £2,000 to encourage and support students with a physical or sensory disability in education. For more information: www.snowdonawardscheme.org.uk or phone 01403 732899

Severly Disabled Children  The Family Fund Trust provides grants for families in the UK that care for severly disabled children under the age of 16. Financial assistance also available for holidays. For more information: www.familyfund.org.uk  or phone 01904 621115

Disabled adopted children  The Athlone Trust has grants available to assist the parents of adopted children with serious disabilities such as Aspergers Syndrone. These are to help with school fees and one-off grants to help with the cost of education essentials. For more information: www.athlonetrust.com

Ill children  React has funding available to help families caring for a terminally ill child by providing financial help to purchase practical items and essential medical equipment. For more information: www.reactcharity.org/

Sick children  The Caudwell Charitable Trust has funding available for specific cases of child sickness, specialised medical requirements, traumatic needs and dying wishes. For more information: http://www.caudwellchildren.com/ or phone 0845 3001348

Inborn conditions  The Newlife Charity have grants available to help children and families who are significantly affected by an inborn condition (birth defect/ congenital abnormality). The child must be under 18 years of age. For more information: www.newlifecharity.co.uk/

Children and Cancer  Lennox Children's Cancer Fund has funding available to assist families financially, which welfare professionals must appyly for on their behalf, and to help pay for holidays for the children and their families, which the families themselves can apply for. For more information: www.lennoxccf.org.uk

FURTHER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE
If you need further assistance or advice, please contact:  Jamie Buckley, Engagement and Funding Officer, East Devon District Council. Telephone number 01395 517569 email: jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk

Page last updated on 6 January 2012