Support Grants for Care Leavers
‘Support Grants for Care Leavers’ are grants for young people aged 18 to 25 and have been in care with Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council or Portsmouth City Council.
This grant programme is made possible by the generous support of Sovereign Network Group and CCLA.
HIWCF: This fund is administered by HIWCF. HIWCF’s core aim is to tackle inequality.
This fund can offer grants of up to £750 to individuals. These are not loans and do not need to be paid back. This fund will close when the funding available has been fully allocated.
Programme overview
Status: Open
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 25/05/2026
Minimum Grant: £250
Maximum Grant: £750
Location: Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Criteria
Applicants to this fund will need to meet the following criteria:
1) Be an individual who was in the care of Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council or Portsmouth City Council (applicants are still able to apply if they have since moved to a new area).
2) Be aged between 18 and 25 years at time of application.
3) Applicants may only receive one grant in a 12-month period.
A supporting letter written by your Personal Advisor will need to be uploaded with application form.
What can be funded?
This is intended to be a flexible fund that can support care leavers with:
– The costs of setting up a new home e.g. you might need help to buy white goods like a fridge, or carpet or curtains for your bedroom.
– The costs of supporting wellbeing e.g. we can support activities that will improve your physical and mental health such as fees for a yoga class, gym membership, counselling sessions, or cultural and arts events/ experiences.
– The costs of accessing training, study, and employment pathways e.g. course fees, computer equipment, clothing for interviews, equipment needed for training/ new job, a rail card for work.
These are just examples and not an exhaustive list – please get in touch to discuss potential uses.
When completing application form, please include a breakdown of how you will spend the grant.
If application is for higher education costs, please check if your college/university has bursaries available for care experienced students.
What can NOT be funded?
– Applications that do not meet the three criteria listed above (local authority, age, no other grant from this fund in 12 previous months).
– Applications that do not show how they will support your needs as a care leaver.
– HIWCF does not fund projects/ travel outside the UK, or activities promoting political or religious themes.
– HIWCF does not fund retrospective costs (these are costs you have already incurred) such as debt or rent arrears.
– HIWCF does not fund legal costs.
Monthly decision making panel meetings are held so please allow a 4–6-week lead in time from submission of your application to funding decision.
Contact: If you have any questions, please get in touch with us by emailing grantsadmin@hiwcf.com