Henderson Family Fund for Young People in Hardship (UK)

The Henderson Family Fund supports young people aged 16–25 in Northumberland who face financial hardship that could prevent them from accessing or completing education. Grants of £300 to £1,000 per individual can help cover eligible educational costs such as course fees, rent, travel, and tutor expenses.

About the Henderson Family Fund

The Henderson Family Fund is designed to remove financial barriers that make it difficult for young people to begin or continue educational courses.

The funding can help individuals who have the ability and commitment to pursue education but require additional financial assistance to overcome practical or financial obstacles.

Support may contribute towards expenses such as:

Course or tuition fees.
Rent associated with undertaking education.
Travel expenses.
Tutor costs.
Other appropriate educational expenses that help the individual access or complete their studies.

Why the Fund Matters

Financial hardship can prevent young people from enrolling in education or force them to leave a course before completion.

The Henderson Family Fund aims to address these barriers by providing targeted financial assistance to young people who would otherwise struggle to continue their educational journey.

The program can therefore support:

Access to education and training.
Continued participation in educational courses.
Completion of existing studies.
Removal of financial barriers to learning.
Improved educational opportunities for young people experiencing hardship.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following core requirements:

Be aged 16 to 25.
Be resident in Northumberland.
Face financial hardship affecting their ability to access or complete education.
Be undertaking or seeking to undertake an eligible educational course or opportunity.
Demonstrate how financial assistance would help overcome the identified barrier.

Importantly, individuals cannot apply directly.

Applications must be submitted by an eligible voluntary or community organisation on behalf of the young person.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The Henderson Family Fund provides grants ranging from:

Minimum grant: £300 per individual.
Maximum grant: £1,000 per individual.

The amount requested should be appropriate to the individual’s circumstances and the educational costs that need to be addressed.

What Can the Grant Pay For?

Funding can support a range of costs associated with accessing or completing education.

Potential expenses include:

Course fees.
Rent.
Travel.
Tutor costs.
Other reasonable educational expenses that address a financial barrier.

Applicants should clearly explain why the requested expenditure is necessary and how it will help the young person continue or complete their education.

Evidence and Accountability Requirements

Funding is provided with an expectation that the young person’s educational progress will be demonstrated.

Evidence may be required to confirm:

Enrolment.
Attendance.
Progress.
Course completion.

The organisation applying on behalf of the young person should therefore ensure that appropriate records and supporting evidence can be obtained and retained.

How to Apply

Step 1: Identify an Eligible Young Person

A voluntary or community organisation should identify a young person who meets the age and residency requirements and is experiencing financial barriers to education.

Step 2: Establish the Educational Need

The organisation should identify the educational opportunity and explain the specific financial difficulty preventing the young person from accessing or completing it.

Step 3: Prepare the Funding Request

The application should clearly state:

The young person’s circumstances.
Their educational course or opportunity.
The financial barrier they face.
The amount requested.
How the funding will be used.
How the grant will help them continue or complete their education.

Step 4: Submit the Application

The voluntary or community organisation must submit the application on behalf of the individual.

Direct applications from young people are not accepted.

Step 5: Maintain Progress Evidence

Following an award, appropriate evidence of enrolment, attendance, progress, or completion should be maintained to meet the fund’s reporting requirements.

Key Details at a Glance

Funding: £300–£1,000 per individual
Age: 16–25
Location: Northumberland
Purpose: Educational access and completion
Eligible costs: Course fees, rent, travel, tutor costs and other relevant educational expenses
Applicant: Voluntary or community organisation
Direct applications: Not accepted
Evidence required: Enrolment, attendance and progress or completion

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Clearly explain the young person’s financial hardship.
Link every requested cost to the educational opportunity.
Provide a realistic funding amount.
Explain how the grant will remove a specific barrier.
Demonstrate the young person’s commitment to their education.
Keep evidence of enrolment, attendance and educational progress.

A strong application should make it clear that without the requested support, financial hardship could significantly affect the young person’s ability to access or complete their education.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Organisations should avoid:

Applying directly as an individual.
Applying for someone outside the 16–25 age range.
Supporting someone who is not resident in Northumberland.
Requesting funding without explaining the educational need.
Providing an unclear or unsupported budget.
Failing to maintain evidence of enrolment and educational progress.
Requesting costs that are unrelated to the individual’s education.

FAQ

Who can benefit from the Henderson Family Fund?

The fund supports young people aged 16–25 who live in Northumberland and face financial hardship affecting their access to or completion of education.

How much funding is available?

Grants range from £300 to £1,000 per individual.

Can young people apply directly?

No. Direct applications from individuals are not accepted. A voluntary or community organisation must submit the application on behalf of the young person.

What expenses can the grant support?

Funding may help with educational expenses such as course fees, rent, travel and tutor costs, as well as other appropriate costs that help overcome barriers to education.

What evidence is required after receiving funding?

Evidence of enrolment, attendance, progress or completion is required as a condition of the grant.

Where must applicants live?

The young person receiving support must be resident in Northumberland.

What is the main purpose of the fund?

The fund aims to remove financial barriers that could prevent young people from starting, continuing or completing educational opportunities.

Conclusion

The Henderson Family Fund provides targeted educational financial assistance to young people aged 16–25 in Northumberland who are experiencing hardship. With grants of £300–£1,000, the fund can help address practical costs such as course fees, rent, travel and tutoring.

Because individuals cannot apply directly, eligible voluntary and community organisations should identify suitable young people, clearly demonstrate the educational need, and submit applications on their behalf.