IMPORTANT Criteria for CCLT Applications
If you do not meet the criteria the application will be declined. Regretfully we do NOT cover living expenses, debts or accommodation/rent fee's. We do NOT provide cash lump sums or cover overseas trips.
All applicants MUST provide contact details of their local authority personal advisor or support worker to obtain a written reference for the trustee board.
Evidence under the care of the local authority of England or Wales.
Driving Lessons
To help determine your eligibility, you must meet the following criteria:
To be considered for driving lessons, you must:
-
- Hold a valid Driving Theory Test certificate (a copy will be required as part of your application)
-
- Be currently employed and able to provide employer contact details for a written reference confirming that you cannot progress in your role without a driving licence
-
- Outline a career opportunity you are currently unable to access without a licence, and whether this opportunity contributes to environmental protection or sustainability
-
- Provide a short paragraph to the trustees explaining your financial planning, including any savings towards purchasing a vehicle and how you intend to cover ongoing running costs—particularly insurance
-
- Demonstrate that you are, or soon will be, financially able to afford the costs associated with running a car (this is typically supported by the employer reference)
The Trustee Board will usually consider funding one block of 20 driving lessons, paid directly to an independent driving instructor.
Evidence financially be in a position to afford the cost of running a car soon, usually evident from the employer reference. The trustees will consider 1 block of 20 driving lessons paid direct to an independant driving instructor.
Any goods approved by the trustee board will be purchased by us within an allocated modest budget, we cannot increase the charity budget allocated.
Flooring
Trustees will consider only one room in the property
In the meantime please see our 'Useful Links' page on our website for alternative charities who offer the same support as CCLT, Rees Foundation & Spark Foundation, and discuss with your Personal Advisor or Support Worker for additional guidance
We politely ask that, you do not email or call to check the progress of your application, as this slows the process down. Please be assured, that we will contact you as soon as we start working on your application, but it may take a little longer to gather relevant references and supporting information before it can be presented to the Trustees for their consideration.
Making an Application
Please read all information below and on the 'Who can Apply' & 'How we can help' pages. You will also find it useful to download and read our guidance notes by clicking the 'Guidance Notes' button above on the right.
This will help you complete your application and avoid any disappointment of being declined if you do not meet the criteria or, are asking for a grant for something we are not able to help with.
If you have an unfinished application, or did not submit your application before we closed, you will not be able to complete the submission process at this stage. However you will be able to login when we next open, to complete and submit it, using the email address and password you previously used.
For online applications, please make sure you digitally sign your application, as it cannot be accepted without this due to Data Protection and Consent legislation.
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to keep us informed of any change to your contact details.
If, four attempts to your refernces are made with no response regretfully, any time after you have submitted an application, your application will regretfully close.
In addition, any grant awarded but not used within 4 weeks of the applicant being informed of the award, will expire and be withdrawn, unless an extenstion of time has been previously agreed by the Trustees.
Information we need
The questions we ask, help us make responsible decisions about how we use CCLT funds and the amount of grant we might give you. This means we need you to complete all sections of the application form as fully as you can.
It is important that you provide full details of income and benefits for yourself and anyone living with you, and all your weekly bills and spending.
By also telling us about your time in care, and including the details of two people who are in a position to confirm your circumstances, it will help The Trustees consider your application more quickly.
Who decides?
CCLT has three trustees.
-
Any two Trustees can authorise grants up to £2000
-
All three Trustees must authorise awards over £2000
Trustees can consider awards of up to £3000 specifically in relation to Higher Education or professional course costs.
How long will it take?
When submitting a completed online application, a confirmation message will be received.
We aim to contact all applicants within 6-8 weeks of applying, and give a decision as quickly as possible following that. It can take up to 12 weeks for a decision, depending on the purpose of the grant, individual circumstances and the number of applications being processed and considered at the time.
If your needs are more urgent, there is a list of charities and organisations that may be able to help you more quickly, on our ‘Useful Links' page.
Submitting an Application
There are 3 ways for you to apply:
The fastest way to apply is online by clicking the 'Apply online' button above on the day applications open.
Alternatively you can print off a pdf copy of the application form to complete by hand and email it to info@capstonetrust.org or post it to:
The Capstone Care Leavers’ Trust
Unit 2. Greenbox
Worcestershire
B60 4AL
PLEASE NOTE: If you email a pdf format of your application, or send a copy by post, we must receive it by TBC
Applications received after this date will not be processed.
We are here to help
If you have a question about an application or need general Care Experienced Advice