Wellbeing support

In addition to a wellbeing grant, we can provide wellbeing support to households who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• carers (full and part-time looking after dependents (in the household) living with diagnosed long-term health conditions, life-limiting illnesses
• individuals living with a diagnosed physical, mental or neuro-diverse condition
• clergy children and adult children (up to 25) dealing with a traumatic experience (bullying, parental separation/divorce, abuse or assault)
• special educational needs for potential independent education or home school costs

In some instances, we may be able to consider support for those waiting for a diagnosis. This is on a case-by-case basis with evidence from a health care professional.

Adult carer support

Caring for someone can be very rewarding, although, can also be emotional and challenging. We can support you to be able to take a break and take some time for yourself.

Support is available for those who receive Carer’s Allowance; Carer's element of Universal Credit or care for a member of your household who receives DLA/PIP; or if you have clear caring responsibilities within your household but do not qualify for statutory benefits.

Grants are available to help carers:

• Take a break from day-to-day routines
• Maintain friendships
• Pursue personal interests, leisure or cultural activities
• Have greater independence and self-confidence
• Improve mental health and wellbeing

We can consider grants up to £750 per year, for a carer to access regular respite, activities like: gym membership; exercise classes; help with taxis; lunch out with friends; etc.

Young carer support

Support is available for clergy children (up to 18) and adult clergy children (18-25) with a parent or a sibling with a long-term health condition whom they provide care for, or someone in the household receives DLA/PIP/Attendance Allowances.

Grants are available, up to £750 per year, for an activity that may:

• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Connect with others/make new friends
• Improve mental and/or physical health

Education and skills courses

This is only for spouses/partners, retired clergy and adult children of clergy.

For adults who are living with mental, physical or learning disabilities (in receipt of ill-health state benefits) who wish to either:

• Further their knowledge and skills in order to increase their chances of employment in the future
• Improve self-esteem, social skills/support networks, integrating into society

Grants are available up to £2,000.

Education support

For families with a child who may have one or more:

• anxiety or other mental health issue and is struggling with their current school - considering a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school, defined as a Special Educational Need (SEN)
• a child threatened with exclusion where the current school is unable to meet the child's special educational needs
• where a SEN has been assessed, but the current school is unable to meet the need
• where a family are waiting for an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) assessment
• where an EHCP is in place but the current school or local authority are not delivering the appropriate support
• a child with a medical or health condition where the current school is not appropriately meeting their educational needs
• a child experiencing ongoing bullying and where the current or other local schools are deemed inappropriate
• a child who is home-educated and Education Otherwise Than In A School (EOTAS)

We can provide education support through our Visiting Caseworker service which will review SEN provisions, apply for EHCP, appeal decisions, provide advocacy and help with accessing benefits.

Where appropriate, we may provide a grant towards an Educational Psychologist (EP) report and Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment.

Independent Education

We may be able to provide help towards private school fees where there is a compelling special educational need for a child to attend an independent school.

For example:

• a specific educational need
• medical/health issues affecting a child or their family
• the local school being in special measures
• bullying

Note: any application would be reviewed by our education advisor

Please contact the Grants and Services Team to discuss your needs and the potential costs involved before applying.

• 0800 389 5192
• grants@clergysupport.org.uk
• contact form

Home school costs

We can consider supporting the costs of home educating and EOTAS for a temporary period of time, usually for children aged 7 to 18.

The Visiting Caseworker team will review applications to ensure that local authorities a providing sufficient funding. Eg. where a child is medically unable to attend school, home education should be funded.

Where parents have removed children from school due to reasons other than special educational needs or illness, funding might not be approved.

Annual reviews

Recipients of support for home school costs must apply annually for further assistance. If circumstances remain the same, a further year of funding may be approved. Details of any changes need to be provided prior to the start of the new academic year, ideally in June or July.

Hobby grant

Household members, living with a long-term health condition, are able to apply for an activity/hobby grant every calendar year.

Grants are up to £750 per year for an activity that the individual or family feel may help:

• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Connect with others / make new friends
• Improve mental and/or physical health

Children and adult children (up to 25) going through a traumatic event, can also apply for two consecutive years only.

Before you apply

To progress any application, we need the support document(s) listed above in the category type above and your verification document(s). Without these, we can't reach a decision.

The video shows you how to successfully:

• register on the application system
• take screenshots (Mac, PC, Phones and Tablets)
• get a copy of your stipend that isn't blank
• attach supporting documents to your application

How to apply

We advise that you first contact our Grants and Services team, in confidence, to discuss your situation and which category type best suits your needs:

• 0800 389 5192
• grants@clergysupport.org.uk
• contact form

Please check that you are eligible for wellbeing support:

Check your eligibility

Apply

You may also find the questions and guidance helpful.