Wellbeing Fund

Our Wellbeing Fund is open to all Platform customers who are experiencing financial hardship and need short-term support.

The Fund can help cover essential food and energy costs, especially if you are waiting for your first benefit payment. You can also apply for help to purchase an essential household item, along with additional and special project support as explained in the framework below.

Customers working together on a Wellbeing Fund Project

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for help from our Wellbeing Fund you must:

  • Be in receipt of means tested benefits (such as Universal Credit), on a low income or be able to evidence financial hardship.
  • Be able to demonstrate that you are without the necessary funds to meet your immediate need.
  • Be able to provide your household income and expenditure details.
  • Have considered other support options available to you.
  • Be working with, or willing to work with, support services offered through Platform or externally to improve your long-term situation.
  • Confirm that you have read and understand the Wellbeing Fund eligibility criteria and framework prior to making an application.

Your application can include any combination of essential food and energy support and household essentials, but is limited to only one of any of the other support types listed under additional support.

Please note that only items requested from the framework, outlined below can be considered as part of your application.

Budgeting in a home

 

Our Wellbeing Fund Framework

Type of support

Number of awards that can be made

Essentials:

  • Food
  • Energy

 

One food voucher and energy voucher application per year, per household

Essential household items:

  • School uniforms
  • Interview clothing
  • Household cleaning products
  • Toiletries
  • Kitchen/utility essentials



One essential household items voucher application per year, per household

 

Additional support

Awards will be made on individual assessment of request

 

Furniture

  • Bed/Mattress
 One award for the lifetime of the Fund

    White goods (only one can be chosen)

    • Washing machine
    • Cooker
    • Fridge freezer
    • Microwave or air fryer

     

    One Award for the lifetime of the Fund

    Health and wellbeing

    • Classes
    • Activities
    • Groups

     

    One award for the lifetime of the Fund

    Digital inclusion

    • Devices
    • Other digital needs

     

    One award for the lifetime of the Fund

    Employment and training

    • Training or tuition
    • Interview travel costs
    • New job costs (travel)

     

    One award for the lifetime of the Fund

    Special Projects Support

    Help for local charities and organisations to deliver essential community improving projects

     
    • Promote Community cohesion & empowerment
    • Improve Community safety
    • Improve the local environment & sustainability
    • Tackle domestic abuse and take safeguarding action
    • Help communities stay connected – reducing isolation and loneliness
    • Tackle digital inclusion
    • Promote health & wellbeing

    You can also find out how our Community Chest Fund may also be able to assist you.

     

     

    Successful Tenancy Support
    Job Support
    Cost of Living Advice

    Wellbeing Fund Application Form

    • Before You Start
    • Disclaimer
    • Your details
    • Awaiting benefit
    • Social Value questions
    • Monthly Income
    • Monthly Expenditure
    • Other monthly income and assets
    • Complete
    Before You Start

    We’re unable to process your application unless you provide us with the information we need. Please make sure you’re able to provide the following:
     
    I confirm that I have read and understand the Wellbeing Form eligibility criteria and framework prior to making this application for support.