Deadline: 14-Feb-25
The Norfolk Community Foundation is requesting applications for the Independent Living Fund to support to care leavers (aged 18-25) in Norfolk only.
The Independent Living Fund offers grants for care leavers (aged 18-25) to access the things they need to live independently, including:
- Purchase of white goods, flooring, laptops/tablets, furniture, utensils, suitcases and other essential household items
- Driving lessons, courses in money management, or other essential life skills
- Access to accredited counselling or other talking therapies
- Minor household or vehicle repairs
Funding Information
- A £500 grant can be requested to cover more than one item; if doing this, please prioritise the items. The Fund is consistently oversubscribed meaning requests cannot always be supported in full.
- A £500 grant can be requested towards an item exceeding this value, provided there is a funding commitment towards the balance.
Who can the Fund help?
- The Fund can offer support to care leavers (aged 18-25) in Norfolk only. The Fund cannot offer support to children in care under the age of 18.
Eligible Area
- Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Norwich, and South Norfolk
Eligibility Criteria
- Social workers, personal advisors and VCSE organisations supporting care leavers are eligible to apply.
Exclusions
- Items or activities that are paid for before receiving a grant.
- General subsistence costs including utility bills, council tax or rent.
- Mobile phone contracts, or other ongoing costs that go beyond the life of a grant. Up-front purchase of a mobile phone handset may be considered.
- Vehicles.
- The Fund is not able to provide urgent financial assistance, and cannot consider applications outside of the funding rounds set.
Application Requirements
- Grants should start to be used within 4 months of being awarded.
- If a young person has previously received a grant, any future applications should be made 2 years after the previous award. First-time applicants will generally be prioritised.
- Applications can be made to both the Inspiring Opportunities Fund and the Independent Living Fund for the same young person. If demand on funding is high, one application may be prioritised over the other.
For more information, visit Norfolk Community Foundation.