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

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

Passed Theory Test will be requested when processing the application

We MUST obtain a written reference from your current employer, confirming the license is required to progress in your current employment.

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

Educational Requests enquire at info@capstonetrust.org

Applications are Closed

After re-opening on Monday 29th July 2024

This page is updated one week prior to re-opening, please check back in October 2024

We are a small team of one, handling high volumes of applications, some of which are more urgent or complex than others, which influences how quickly we can respond to applications received.

We are sorry if you missed our window, but due to the high demand for our grants, we typically reach our maximum intake quickly after opening, and once this number is reached, access to applications will then close.

Therefore, to avoid disappointment, I would advise you to complete applications as quickly as possible after we re-open, as once we close the portal, there will be no access to incomplete applications.

Kindly please do not contact chasing re-opening, as this delays processing current applications resulting in delays in re-opening. The Charity is run by one person.

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, after several attempts we are unable to contact you by phone, text or email, any time after you have submitted an application, your application will 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, you should receive a confirmation message that it has been submitted.

We then aim to contact you 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, your 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
28 The Green
Kings Norton
Birmingham
B38 8SD.

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.