Aims/priorities: The Trust views communication skills as critical capabilities for people who want to improve their employment prospects, self-confidence, resilience, and life chances.
The funding is for registered charities that are working to develop communication skills for people from disadvantaged groups who want to improve their employment prospects. Beneficiaries must gain at least one officially recognised and regulated, accredited vocational qualification during or within two months of project completion.
As an inclusive charity, the Trust welcomes proposals which target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups demonstrably facing major hurdles to employment, especially women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, and refugees.
Who can apply? To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a UK charity that has been registered with the Charity Commission for at least three years.
- Have an annual turnover of between £25,000 and £500,000.
- Have a good track record of delivery, which may include impact reports of past projects.
- Have clear evidence of need for the project by the targeted beneficiaries.
Grant amount: Up to £5,000 are available.
The Trust will support annual repeat funding for up to three years – subject to satisfactory annual reviews of progress and impact.
Application process: There is a two-stage application process.
- Stage one is to complete an online Expression of Interest form (available on the Trust's website) which requires some basic contact details and a description of what the funding is required for. Applications for the November 2026 meeting are now open with a deadline of 11 September 2026 (noon).
- Stage two is by invitation only and involves completing a more in-depth application form and to submit a Project Plan, budget, latest set of financial accounts and any relevant policies.
Successful applicants will be notified in writing along with the terms and conditions of the grant and asked for their payment details.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email unless the Trust receives an unusually high volume of applications.
Applicants must wait for two years from the date of submission until they can reapply.
Deadline: Friday, 11 September 2026 (noon).
Contact information: Groups that would like to contact the Trust will need to use the Trust's online message form which is on Trust's website contact page.