Grants to Help Disadvantaged Adults Move Closer to Employment

Local VCSE organisations working to support adults facing barriers to work may be interested in a new funding opportunity from the Thomas Wall Trust. Grants of up to £5,000 are now available for projects that help disadvantaged adults build communication skills and progress towards employment.

What the Fund Supports

The Thomas Wall Trust believes that strong communication skills are essential for improving employability, confidence, resilience, and overall life chances. Funding is available for specific projects that:

• Develop communication skills for adults aged 18 and over
• Support NEET individuals (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
• Help participants gain at least one accredited vocational qualification
• Target people experiencing significant barriers to employment, including: Women, Adults with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, Refugees, Individuals facing multiple deprivation

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to UK-registered charities with an annual turnover between £25,000 and £500,000. Priority will be given to:

• Match-funded projects
• Self-sustaining initiatives aiming to reduce reliance on future grants

Please note: Grants cannot be used for capital costs.

Application Process

The Trust operates a two-stage application process:

1. Stage One: Initial application
2. Stage Two: Full proposal (invited applicants only)

The deadline for Stage One applications is 22 December 2025, for consideration at the March 2026 funding meeting.

For more information on how and who can apply - Click here