Mayor of Halton Fund – The Halton Foundation
About the Fund
The Mayor of Halton, Kevan Wainwright, is fundraising to remove barriers for young people from Halton in pursuing their education, and training and thereby supporting the future talent of the borough. The Mayor wishes to support and encourage aspirations and open opportunities for young people by providing education and training bursaries.
The fund is delivered by the Halton Foundation, established in 2016. The Halton Foundation is a partnership led by Halton Chamber of Commerce, Halton Borough Council and Halton and St Helen’s Voluntary and Community Action (VCA). The Halton Foundation’s grant making arm is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside.
Fund Criteria
Young People receiving income-related benefits, or where parent is receiving an income related-benefit.
Is a care leaver.
Is a Young Carer.
Has a disability or learning difficulty.
Has experienced adverse childhood experiences.
The fund will also consider applications to help vulnerable young people under 25 to buy smart clothes/shoes for job interviews to help towards securing employment.
Specific criteria
-
Applicants must either be based in Halton permanently or provide evidence that you live in Halton when not studying i.e. outside of university term-time.
-
Applicants should be aged 16 to 25
Confirmation of circumstances:
Disability – Proof of benefits letter that you are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance
Learning Differences and Additional Needs – Confirmation that young person is recognised as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), for example from a school or college.
Care Leavers – a letter or email of support from your Personal Advisor.
Young Carers – Confirmation that receiving Carers Allowance or the carers element of Universal Credit. You should check that the course you are enrolled on will not negatively impact your benefits.
Low income / Receiving Income-related Benefits – Proof of benefits letter that you, or your Parent(s) or Guardian(s), are receiving an income related benefit.
Such as, Universal Credit, Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, or Housing Benefit, or Employment Support Allowance. The Parent or Guardian should be living at the same address as the young person.
Adverse experiences which are likely to have impacted a young person’s access to education, such as:
- young person is from a family which has experienced domestic abuse
- where a parent is in prison
- where the family have experienced or are at risk of being made homeless
- young person has been raised by grandparents due to parents being unable to undertake parenting responsibilities.
This above is a non-exhaustive list – the fund will consider other situations of a young person being disadvantaged in some way, however we ask for some evidence of circumstances to help use verify your situation, such as correspondence confirming your circumstances or a letter/email of support from a reputable source who knows your situation e.g. Citizens Advice, Social Worker, Health Worker, Children’s Services, Charity etc.
That fund recognises that certain areas within the Borough need more help than others, these bursaries could be of benefit to young people within those areas.
Amount Available
Up to £500 subject to available funds. You will be required to provide receipts for items purchased.
More may be awarded in exceptional circumstances.
Please note – The fund cannot consider grants for expenditure outside of the UK, such as for international study or trips abroad.
How to Apply?
You can download the application form via the ‘Apply Now’ button. Please email all supporting documents to us at applications@cflm.org.uk.
Additional documents to be included with your application:
1. Proof of residence in Halton – e.g. utility bill / bank statement / driving license
2. ID confirming under 25 e.g. driving license / passport
3. A copy of a recent bank statement. If you do not have your own bank account, please get in touch with us to let us know.
4. A letter of acceptance for your course from one of the following:
- University
- Higher Education establishment
- College
- Education Provider
- Course Provider
- Sports Institution
If you have applied to us within the last 12 months and provided this information, we do not need you to send it again, although we may require a more recent bank statement.
Completed applications are considered by Community Foundation staff to check eligibility. You may be contacted for more information after applying and a decision-making panel will make recommendations based on the fund’s criteria and the budget available.