Lawrence Atwell’s Charity

Due to the high number of applications received, the deadline for return of completed applications for courses taking place in this academic year (2008/09) is 30 September 2008. We regret that it will not be possible to consider applicants after this date.

Lawrence Atwell founded his charity in 1588 to ‘set poor people upon work’. Grants are made to help young individuals find vocational routes out of poverty and disadvantage.

Who can apply?

We can accept applications from people who:

• Are aged between 16 and 26 years inclusive
• Are either UK nationals, refugees or asylum seekers
• Are undertaking training that is clearly vocational and will launch them into work, or
• Are in need of equipment essential to begin work
• Can demonstrate they are from a low-income background. This means they have family/parental income of less than £25,000 per year (for other dependent children aged 18 or under, please add £2,750 for each child)

If you answered YES to all of the above, you may be eligible for a grant. Please check the list of exceptions below to ensure that you match our detailed criteria.

What do we fund?

Lawrence Atwell’s Charity can award grants to cover a variety of costs if this will help to propel applicants into work. These include:

• Tuition, enrolment, examination or registration fees
• General living expenses during study/training (eg, travel fares, childcare costs, books, course materials, uniforms and equipment)
• Specific items (eg, a musical instrument, a sewing machine)

There is no such thing as a standard grant, as each person has different needs and circumstances. Grants rarely exceed £2,000 a year, although they can be made for more than one year in a row if a training course is for two or three years long.

Who cannot apply?

We cannot accept applications from people who are:

• Studying for A levels, GCSEs, GNVQs, NVQ Level 1 or other courses which are not vocational
• Studying a course where tuition fees are paid and there is access to a student loan or bursary for living costs
• Studying abroad, or seeking funding for expeditions either in the UK or abroad for any reason
• Studying for an intercalated degree or for elective periods
• Undertaking a research degree
• Starting a business venture
• Already trained to a professional standard
• Seeking funding for computer equipment (with the exception of studies in IT)
• A student of dance or drama on an unaccredited course (the only exceptions are Lewisham College’s Access to Dance course and the Foundation Dance (Swindon) Foundation course).
• A student of Music who has already had a year of postgraduate study (with the exception of voice/opera students)
• Seeking help to cover debts or loans that have already been taken out
  

How long does it take?

This depends on any queries we may raise with you, how quickly you are able to respond, and on the prompt response of two referees. Once your application is ready, it will be considered at a meeting of the Committee, who meet on a regular basis.

Please ensure that you complete the forms as fully as you can, supplying all necessary supporting documents. It takes approximately three months to process a full application. We will not accept applications for training or courses that have nearly been completed. The deadline for return of completed applications for courses taking place in this academic year (2008/09) is 30 September 2008.

How to apply

You may find it helpful to examine the detailed guidelines for applicants. If you are not sure if you are eligible, you are welcome to discuss a potential application with the Atwell Administrator. Please call us on 020 7213 0561 or email us at atwell@skinners.org.uk.

If you wish to proceed with an application, please download the Guidelines, Application Forms, the Notes and the Low-Income Background Form.

 

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