Grants for Individuals

The grants to individuals programme helps people that are in need, hardship or distress, or people who are suffering from ill health, are convalescent or have a disability.

Planned opening dates for applications to the Grants to Individuals scheme in 2025 are:

  • Wednesday 8th January at 9:30am
  • Wednesday 5th February at 9:30am
  • Wednesday 5th March at 9:30am

How to apply for a grant

Bristol Charities only accepts grant applications from support professionals, who act as a Sponsor on behalf of their clients.

Sponsors may be a social worker, support worker, housing officer or an education or healthcare professional etc. (Please click the link below if you are a support professional and you would like to become a Sponsor).

The Sponsor is responsible for filling in the application form, validating financial details and acting as a point of contact between Bristol Charities, their client, and suppliers.

Once a grant application has been submitted, we will review it and let the Sponsor know the outcome by email, and what further steps to take.

items we fund:

We can help with ONE of the following:

White goods (washing machines, electric cookers & fridge/freezers)

Small electrical equipment such as vacuum cleaners and microwaves

Basic furniture such as beds, sofas, storage, tables & chairs

Kitchen starter sets to include pots, pans, cutlery, crockery etc.

Flooring - we do not routinely approve flooring grants for new tenancies. Additional criteria apply for flooring grants only

Furniture grants may be offered in the form of vouchers for British Heart Foundation Home Stores (The Horsefair & Kingswood stores only)

Eligibility:

Applications will be considered if all of the following criteria are met:

The applicant lives within a 10 mile radius of the centre of Bristol

They have not received previous funding from Bristol Charities in the last 3 years

The household is on a low income

There are additional criteria for flooring grants only. Applications may be considered if all the above criteria are met, and one or more of the following apply:

There is a child aged 4 or under in the property and the current flooring is unsuitable or presents a hazard

There is a mobility or disability issue, and the current flooring is unsuitable or presents a trip hazard

There has been an event i.e. flood or fire and the flooring needs to be replaced

 

We cannot help with the following:

Clothing

Gas cookers

Food costs or household bills

Housing clearances, cleaning fees, decorating costs or moving costs

Repairs or adaptations to properties

Rent arrears, Debt Relief Orders or any kind of debt

Tumble dryers or dishwashers

Televisions, computers, or audio equipment

Medical equipment or treatments

 

Applicants who are due to move to a new property

Please do not make a grant application if the person you’re supporting has not yet moved into their property or they are due to move soon.  Please only apply once the move has taken place. This is so that our limited funds are used to provide support when it is most needed.

 

Residents of Frome Vale, Stockwood and Henbury and Brentry

If you are a professional working with clients living in Frome Vale, Stockwood or Henbury and Brentry that require assistance with items/services not offered through the Grants to Individuals scheme, please get in touch with the Bristol Charities’ Community Team to see what support may be available on 0117 930 0301 or [email protected].

 

Grants awarded in 2022/23
£
of funds distributed in 2022/23

“I cannot thank you enough for helping me get a proper bed. I have been on a camp bed for 5 weeks. I have a spinal problem…that has got worse. Today I got an orthopedic three quarter bed, with a nice metal frame. It is so comfortable. Thank you so much. I medically needed a bed and I am looking forward to sleeping in comfort.
With gratitude.”

— Ms R. R - Grant recipient

Dear Sir, Madam and all who do the magnificent work at Bristol Charities,

You recently donated £120 to my mother, who has a damaged spine and neck; making sleeping very painful.

I got a memory foam from Bristol Bed Maker with other funds to make up the shortfall. It is wonderful!!! Thank you so much it really makes a difference!

— Mr G. B

Thanking you very much for the carpet you supplied to me. After many months of homelessness, I am now settled in my new flat.

Your generosity and kindness has helped me greatly and the contractors did a great job. Once again, Thank you.

— Mr R. M

Thank you to Bristol Charities and supplier for the Russel Hobbs oven which is brill! I had my first roast dinner this week.

Well done and I hope I can give back one day.

— Mr R. A

The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Bristol, BS16 2QQ