Grants to young adults for education or training

What is the Water Street Fund?

The Water Street Fund is a private, charitable fund set up to help young adults who want to progress into the next stage of their education or training, but whose circumstances make that difficult to do.

How does the Water Street Fund work?

Each year the Fund offers a number of small grants of between £250 and £1,000. The potential type of education or training that the Fund considers is wide - it could be higher education, further education, a trade/profession apprenticeship or a specialist course such as in medicine, arts, science or sports.

How Do I Apply?

If you are associated with an organisation who partners with Water Street Fund please look at our Apply page to see if you fulfil the application criteria.

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Results

49

Applications since 2021

31

Grants awarded

£21,700

Value of grants awarded

The History of The Water Street Fund

2019

Research within education sector concluded that small grants would have a meaningful impact for young adults seeking to progress in education or training but constrained by social and economic circumstances.

2020

Water Street Fund set up as a private charity by William Bagnall who had 23 years’ experience of governance in the education sector. Three Trustees appointed. An endowment gift invested with advice from a leading investment manager to provide annual income for grants.

2021

Partnership established with The Sixth Form College Farnborough. First 8 grants awarded including for “lockdown laptops” in two schools.

2022

A further 5 grants awarded including one through Action for Carers Surrey

2023/
2024

2023/2024

26 grant applications received and 18 grants awarded. Successful partnership established with King Edward VI College Stourbridge

Success Stories

Below are some examples of how recent grant recipients have used their grants.

Grant Recipient 1

This outstanding student faced entry barriers to study medicine as her previous overseas academic qualifications were not UK recognised. A Water Street Fund grant helped her to undertake a foundation year from which she has eagerly progressed to first year medical school.

Grant Recipient 2

A real talent for design was evident in this diligent young man but equipment costs were a barrier to his progress given a very low household income. A Water Street Fund grant enabled the purchase of a specialist laptop resulting in a very successful first year on a graphic design course.

Grant Recipient 3

This hard working young student had great passion for the sciences and the environment but was constrained by financial circumstances. A Water Street Fund grant enabled her to invest in a computer that has significantly supported online aspects of a biological sciences degree course.

Grant Recipient 4

This young adult had been the sole carer for his mother for much of his life with consequential economic hardship. A Water Street Fund grant paid for much of an enrolment fee to a masters course in film and television studies which will greatly enhance his employment prospects and lead to a better work/carer life balance.

"The work of this charity has already shown there are many talented and hard working young adults for whom a small grant helps overcome the barrier to next stage education or training. Making the most of their talents is so important for both their future and that of the wider community"

William Bagnall MBE, Chair of Trustees