Education & Living-Cost Grants

Home | Ruth Hayman Trust top of page Home About Trustees and Patrons Our Grants How to Apply The Rose Grant Special Award Guidelines for Referees Application submitted - what's next? Frequently asked questions Support Us Do your own thing Making a Donation Leaving a gift in your will Student Fundraising Challenge Events Contact Donate Welcome to The Ruth Hayman Trust Empowering lives through education and training Access to education and training is key to creating a fairer society. We give small grants to adults who have come to settle in the UK and speak English as a second language. Read 'Our Story' below. ​ It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and Trustee, Jenny Wainman, passed away on 12th July. Jenny was part of our charity for 31 years and gave so much of herself to our Grant Giving Group, which she chaired. She brought not only dedication and commitment, but real warmth and kindness to everything she did. Many of us will remember her for the joy and laughter she brought — whether hosting the quizzes at Natecla conferences or heading out on walks with friends to raise money for the charity. ​ Jenny had a special way of connecting with people. She was thoughtful, generous, and full of life, with a spark that stayed with her always. She made a lasting impression on so many of us, and her absence will be deeply felt. ​ We will miss her enormously. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family and loved ones at this very difficult time. Please Note: ​ Our next closing date for Grant Applications and references is 3 November 2026. Please note our maximum grant is £1,000. OUR STORY Empowering Lives Through Education and Training At Ruth Hayman Trust, we are committed to breaking down barriers to education and training. Our mission is to provide financial support to individuals who face challenges in accessing education and training. We believe access to these has the power to transform lives and create positive change in our communities. ​ Many people who have come to settle here, especially refugees and asylum seekers cannot afford to study basic English, or to study vocational or academic courses due to the costs of exams and learning materials, all of which are essential to their future in the UK. A grant from the Trust can open doors, help them to build new lives and use their skills to contribute to UK society. ​ The Trust is governed by a Trustee Board. There are no paid staff and all work is undertaken by the Trustees. ​ To find out more about the charity please read our Annual Report by clicking here ​ ​You can find out more about the Trustees and our Patrons by clicking ​ ​here ​​ 2025 - 2026 Grants Total applied for:£917,300 Total awarded: £156,688 264 grants from 881 applications 94% of all income spent directly on grants - your donation really does make a difference Applicants from 50 countries: the majority of whom were refugees or asylum seekers Education and Training Grants The Ruth Hayman Trust awards grants to support the education and training of adults who have come to settle in the UK. Their first language is not English and they cannot afford the full fees for their studies. ​We support those suffering severe financial and social hardship, in particular refugees, people seeking asylum and survivors of modern slavery, domestic violence and trafficking.​ Despite the support of our incredible donors, fundraising efforts and volunteer support, the demand for educational and training grants far outweighs our income. This means we have to use criteria to choose who we give grants to. We do not accept applications for university course fees, unless the qualification is essential for the work applicants want to do and we do not give grants for PhDs.​ For a full list of what you can apply for and what we are unable to give grants for please go to our Grants Page. The average amount awarded is between £300 - £500. Our maximum award is currently £1,000. ​ To find out abou…