Changing Lives grant programme

The Changing Lives grant programme is run throughout Crisis’ services and Skylights and within our partner organisations; ACH, Emmaus Oxford and Invisible Cities. If you’re working with Crisis or one of our partner organisations we recommend that your first step should be to reach out to your Lead Worker or Coach to let them know you’re thinking of applying.  

To be in a good position to start your application you should consider what your goals are, and plan how a grant will enable you to reach them. Once you have developed this, you can discuss your grant goals, and plan next steps including access to training and expert guidance on your application.  

Your Coach or Lead Worker will be able to talk you through getting started, share the application forms with you, and work with you throughout the process to put you in the best position to secure the funding.   

You can access the Changing Lives grant programme if you are a Crisis member, or service user of one of our partner organisations, ACH, Emmaus Oxford, or Invisible Cities and; 

1. Are working with a Crisis or partner organisation staff member and have completed a progression plan with a specific action relating to Changing Lives, 
2. Are eligible to live in the UK and are working towards a career goal, 
3. Have discussed and agreed with your Coach or Lead Worker that your grant goals are viable and achievable within your current context 

If you’re unsure whether you are eligible to apply for a grant, please speak to the Crisis Changing Lives team. 

We award grants in four different categories with each stream having an upper limit:  

• Education – max. grant - £5,000   For individuals who intend on starting a course that leads to a recognised qualification. Money can be spent on course fees, books, equipment and/or materials to do the training. 
• Entrepreneurship – max grant - £2,500   For individuals with a robust business plan who intend on being self-employed or starting their own business within the next 12 months and require support with ​equipment, tools, materials, and practical start-up costs. 
• Employment – max grant - £2,500   For individuals who are actively looking for paid employment and will need resources to work in a specific industry. 
• Fast Track – max grant - £1,000   

An accelerated process for individuals with a time sensitive employment/self-employment opportunity to access funding for training, licences, tools, and equipment.   

You can find more information on the different grant streams by speaking to your Coach or Lead Worker, or by viewing the Applicant Handbook. 

As long as your grant application is supporting your progression towards your defined career goals, you can apply for funding for:  

• Accredited or recognised training courses that are linked directly to the applicant’s career goal 
• Tools and equipment for courses that are linked directly to applicant’s career goal 
• Tools and equipment to use in a job linked directly to applicant’s employment goal 
• Tools and equipment and practical costs related to applicant becoming self-employed​ 
• Some second-hand goods – it is recommended that items over £200 should come with a suitable guarantee or warranty  
• Travel costs to employment, courses or interviews linked to a career goal or career sustainment 
• Subsistence costs to attend courses or employment where the circumstances would mean that this otherwise would not be accessible 

You can see a complete list of the things we do not fund in the Applicant Handbook or by discussing your application with your Coach or Lead Worker.

You can access the application forms by getting in touch with your Coach or Lead Worker, or by reaching out to the Changing Lives team. 

After a discussion around your eligibility and grant goals, we will share the application forms and Applicant Handbook with you. Through these conversations we can understand any areas where you might need further support and set these opportunities up for you.  

Completing the application forms will require you to set aside time to plan your goals and spending. Each application asks for different levels of information, so the length of time needed may vary. 

We provide applicants with a range of support set you up to be successful in your application and reaching your goals. In the first instance, it is best to discuss your application with your Coach or Lead Worker and the Changing Lives team so we can identify and tailor support offered to your context.  

Some examples of the support available include: 

• Ideas Clinics with entrepreneurship experts to develop a new business idea you might have 
• Office Hours with entrepreneurship experts to gain advice on how to build on an existing business  
• Entrepreneurship training on business essentials involved in setting up a new business such as writing a business plan, mapping out your income and expenditure.  

Advice and guidance from your Coach or Lead Worker and the Changing Lives team to support you to complete the application. 

The length of time to complete an application varies depending on your own context and grant goals. All applications require evidence of quotations and a breakdown of your planned spending, but some need more information. You can find a clear list of what is required for each grant stream in the Applicant Handbook or by looking through the application. 

The length of time taken to complete the application depends on how long it takes you to gather this information and put it into your application. If you’re a Crisis member, once your application is completed and submitted, we expect grants to be awarded within a maximum of 8 weeks. If you’re applying for a fast-track grant this is 2 weeks. Your Lead Worker will be informed as soon as a decision is made.  

If you’re a service user of ACH, Emmaus Oxford, or Invisible Cities these timings will be different. It’s best to get in touch with your Coach to find out more.

Decisions are made within the organisation that you are applying through. If you’re applying through ACH, Emmaus Oxford or Invisible Cities this decision making process may be slightly different.  

At Crisis, applications are judged individually based on need. Your application will be initially reviewed by the Changing Lives team, and then will go to a panel of external experts to make a decision. The panel consider following areas when deciding an outcome:  

1. Experience or Motivation  

Examples: Is the vocational/ career goal clear? Have any relevant skills and knowledge been presented? Is the application well presented?  

2. Planning  

Examples: Are the objectives clear and realistic? Has the route into employment been researched?  

3. Self-Initiative  

Examples: How have opportunities been utilised to progress?  

4. Support  

Examples: Are support needs been met? Has the support statement covered all necessary subjects?  

Once you get an away your Coach or Lead Worker will be informed on the outcome of your application. If you’re successful you’ll be sent confirmation of your grant in writing (usually by email). We will explain how much has been awarded, what it can be used for. If your application is unsuccessful your Coach or Lead Worker will be informed in an email which will set out the reasons why the grant has not been awarded. We would welcome a resubmission of your application once any feedback has been implemented.  

If you are a Crisis member and you’re interested in the grant programme, you can get in touch with the team using the form below, or through your Lead Worker.  

If you’re a service user of ACH, Emmaus Oxford or Invisible Cities please contact your Coach directly for more information.