General Fund Grants for Individuals and Families

The Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund SCIO disburses grants to individuals and families in need. The aim of the Fund is the prevention or relief of poverty and/or to assist those in need experiencing illness or disability. The Trust’s funds are restricted to beneficiaries who reside in the City of Edinburgh or the Lothians. A proportion of the funds are allocated for the purposes of social welfare in Edinburgh with priority given to children and young people.

Among the General Fund grants available to individuals, The Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund SCIO is pleased to administer grants on behalf of the Ponton House Trust. This fund helps young people in the Edinburgh area who are in need, with priority given to those who also have additional difficulties such as a physical or mental disability.

Applications for individual grants must be submitted via a post holder in a local authority, NHS, or voluntary sector agency. Suitable post holders include social workers, Health Visitors, Midwives, G.Ps, Head Teachers, family support workers. Applications will not be accepted directly from members of the public.

Application guidelines and process:

Only one application on behalf of an individual, family or household will be considered in a rolling twelve-month period.

Applications may be for any relevant and urgent need.

For one or more white goods e.g. fridge/freezer, washing machine or a cooker, the maximum grant awarded is up to £300. Please note any of the items listed below are not eligible to be included with a white goods application.

The maximum grant awarded is £200 for any of the items below.

• baby equipment
• furniture
• bedding – limited to £100
• household items including floor coverings
• clothing and footwear all ages– subject to a maximum of £75 per person
• small electrical items e.g. vacuum cleaner, kettle, toaster, microwave up to the maximum value of £100 per item

When completing the application form please be specific about the items you require and the approximate cost.

Excluded items:

The Trust will not normally fund student fees or equipment, the repayment of debt of any type, holidays anywhere except in special circumstances, e.g. where a holiday is arranged by a recognised charity. Priority will be given to applications where there is serious illness of the individual or in the family, which should be stated.