Funding sources

Explore organisations that may help with the costs of training or related support. Each provider sets its own eligibility rules and supported costs. Check whether your chosen course and circumstances qualify before applying.

  • Local allotment or other trusts in local villages e.g., Souldern Allotment Trust and in Banbury – The Lady Arran Charity (for equipment and books for 18–24-year-olds)

    BACP publishes information about counselling and psychotherapy bursaries. Its linked page describes an earlier scheme; check directly with BACP for any current application round and eligible courses. Read BACP’s bursary information.

    The Blackheart Foundation is open to all who are hardworking, under-resourced and who have ambition. All applications are reviewed holistically and are assessed on an individual basis. The application is not limited to university courses, we encourage all those pursuing vocational and non-traditional courses to also apply - http://blackheartfoundation.org/scholarship-programme/

  • Skinners’ Charity Foundation offers vocational training grants for people aged 16–26 from low-income backgrounds living in London or Kent. Its individual programme covers accredited courses up to Level 4, with grants of up to £2,000. This geographical restriction means it will not suit every Banbury applicant. Check the current criteria and application details.

    The King’s Trust offers Development Awards to help eligible young people aged 16–30 with costs related to training, learning or starting work. Check eligibility and what can be funded.

  • Futures for Women was founded to encourage women towards economic independence through employment. It offers interest-free loans of around £1,000 towards the cost of training for professional, commercial, or technical work. Loans are repaid by monthly instalment. - https://futuresforwomen.org.uk/

    Diamond Education Trust - Soroptimist International GB & Ireland offers Diamond Education Grants to women to update their skills after breaks from employment, or to acquire new skills. Grants are made towards course fees or books and equipment, not towards living expenses - https://sigbi.org/what-we-do/our-charities/deg/ **

    The Girls of the Realm Guild helps women over 21 years (16 years for those training in music and dancing) towards educational and vocational training. Applicants must be UK citizens. Awards are usually in the region of £250. To apply: write to Mrs Beth Hayward, 2 Watch Oak, Blackham, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9TP

    The Reid Trust awards grants to women educated in the UK towards further training or research at an appropriate educational establishment.

    Funding between 250 to 1,000 may be applied for course fees or in some cases for additional support such as childcare -www.thereidtrust.co.uk

  • The Ruth Hayman Trust supports education and training for adults who have settled in the UK, speak English as a second or other language and are in financial need. Read the current eligibility rules, supported costs and application guidance.

  • RefuAid (interest free loans for career development courses) see –  https://refuaid.org/

    Refugee Resource in Oxford offers a small educational and employment bursary to refugees and asylum seekers - https://www.refugeeresource.org.uk/

    Hope for the Young - The Grants and Advocacy Programme supports young people with insecure immigration status in the UK to access and complete higher and further education through the provision of small bursaries and tailored advocacy support - https://hopefortheyoung.org.uk/grants-and-advocacy/

  • The Thomas Wall Trust provides grants to support motivated adults living in the UK and experiencing financial or other challenges to undertake education and training (up to level 3) that will increase their chances of employment. Eligible applicants will have been unemployed for at least 6 months within the last 2 years. Grants of up to £1,500 are offered - https://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/grants-for-individuals/ **

    Aspire Oxfordshire provides education, training and employment support for eligible people in Oxfordshire. Its support varies by programme; ask Aspire about your circumstances and any help with training costs. Explore the current support and referral routes.

  • Royal British Legion provides information about education and training support for the Armed Forces community. Eligibility depends on service history, personal circumstances and the scheme. Read the current education and training guidance or contact the Legion to discuss suitable support.

  • The Capstone Care Leavers Trust (CCLT) awards grants to people aged 17-25 years who have been in Local Authority Care in England or Wales and are in need - https://www.capstonecareleaverstrust.org/

    The Spark Foundation considers grants for eligible young people in care and care leavers under 26, including some equipment needed for college or work. Check its current care-status evidence requirements and supported costs. Read the eligibility and grant guidance.

  • Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a registered charity that helps older people and adults with a disability across England, Scotland & Wales. Their focus is about connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community, and they support applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged - https://www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/

  • National Zakat Foundation publishes information about grants and support for eligible Muslims in the UK. Its former Education Fund page is currently suspended for updates. Check the current programmes and eligibility, including whether your proposed course can be supported.

    The Anglo-Jewish Association no longer offers student bursaries itself. Its website signposts other organisations that may help, principally with university study. Read the current bursary signposting and check whether any option covers your course.

  • Gov UK website give an overview of available funding - https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help

    The National Careers Service offer a phone or webchat service with a career’s adviser. You can call them on 0800 100 900 during our opening times or use their webchat service at https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

    Turn2Us provides information about education grants and has a grant search. See - https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

    You can also use online directories such as FundsOnline and Charity Choice to find the right organisation and funding opportunities to suit your needs. These may carry a cost and so it is worth asking the national careers service to search these for you.

    Citizens Advice offers information about financial support and charitable grants. Explore current financial support guidance.

    The following organisations may also be able to offer further telephone or face to face advice on applying for funds and/or filling out a funding application form:

    Aspire Oxford - https://aspireoxfordshire.org/service/get-help-now-ete/

    Citizens Advice - https://www.cawnac.org.uk/

    The National Careers Service - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ or phone 0800 100 900

    Age UK - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire/

    Asylum Welcome - https://www.asylum-welcome.org/

Disclaimer

The contents of these pages do not constitute professional careers or funding advice and are provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific careers or financial advice you should contact a specialist e.g. the National Careers Service.

The Banbury Therapy Group accepts no responsibility for any information contained within this website and disclaims and excludes any liability in respect of the contents or for action taken based on this information.