Individual & Family Support Grants
Who can apply?
Applications must be made on behalf of the individual or family by a local organisation that knows them and is providing ongoing or active support. This may include community organisations, advice agencies, housing providers, the NHS, or local authority services.
Who can we give grants to?
Individuals or families that live in, or are moving into, our Area of Benefit, which covers NW3 and parts of NW8, NW6, and NW2. You can find details of HWCT’s Area of Benefit here. Applicants must also not have received a grant from us within the previous 12 months unless there are exceptional circumstances.
What can the grants cover?
Grants are usually for up to three essential household items that the individual or family cannot afford and that will improve basic living conditions, dignity, safety, or stability at home.
This may include:
- beds and bedding
- clothing, including school uniforms
- sofas and essential household furniture
- curtains and contribution to flooring
- white goods such as washing machines, fridge freezers, and cookers
- small cooking appliances where needed to prepare food safely
Requests are considered based on how the item will improve the individual or family’s circumstances, rather than on the item alone.
In some cases, we may consider requests for items that fall outside typical household essentials (for example, laptops or bicycles). These requests must demonstrate a clear and proportionate benefit, such as supporting access to services, reducing isolation, or addressing a specific health, caring, or wellbeing need, and must form part of wider support
We do not fund education or training costs (such as course fees or study equipment), rent arrears, or debts.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted by a referring organisation and sent by email to [email protected]. Hand written applications or applications sent by post are not accepted.
What we look for when considering individual grant applications
When considering applications we look for:
- clear evidence of financial hardship
- applications made as part of wrap-around support
- confidence that the grant will be used as intended
- for non-typical grant requests, a clear link to mental health, physical health, or wellbeing
Further information
When a grant is awarded, payment is usually made by bank transfer to the referring organisation (our preferred method). In some cases, payment may be made directly to the applicant. Where this happens, the referring organisation must provide the applicant’s bank details and is responsible for ensuring the grant is used as intended and that receipts are obtained.
Examples of previous grants
Recent individual grants have included support for:
- school uniforms and clothing for families in temporary accommodation
- essential items for people experiencing homelessness linked to mental ill-health
- beds and household items for people moving into settled accommodation
- basic furnishings for families rehoused following domestic abuse
