Surrey Young People's Fund

The Surrey Young People's Fund was established in October 2014 to support disadvantaged young people in Surrey to gain access to training and employment. The Fund provides funding for individuals aged 16-25 inclusive who are resident in Surrey. The purpose of the funding is to assist young people to move towards an identified goal in education, training, apprenticeship, or employment. Grants will typically be between £50 – £350 (and could consider up to £750 in exceptional circumstances) and will fund items that will directly enhance the young person's employability skills, such as assisting them to obtain qualifications, certificates or licenses, developing vocational or technical skills, and providing self-development opportunities that improve social skills, motivation and confidence. The Fund is a funder of last resort and applicants will be expected to have been unable to obtain funding from other sources. Successful applicants will be financially disadvantaged and typically fall into categories such as young people with fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9, young people not in full-time employment, young people with disabilities or health conditions, those in or leaving care, carers, young people at risk or in trouble with the law, those eligible for free school meals, or refugees. Grants are awarded by a panel of experienced volunteers who have a passion for assisting young people in Surrey to improve their employment prospects. Examples of what grants may be used for include course fees and examination costs, travel costs for education or training, childcare for short-term education, equipment and tools, work-related clothing, volunteering or work placement costs, and online learning.