Margaret Dobson Further Education Trust

Open or will open again Adult Education/Learning Age Education and learning Human rights and equality People with disabilities School, College and University Young people (13-25) Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Australia Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane England Fermanagh and Omagh Great Britain Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Micro (up to £1,000) Small (up to £10,000)

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Overview

The Trust supports organisations focused on helping young post-school adults with learning disabilities to develop practical skills that will enable them to lead independent lives. Young people with learning disabilities should form the majority of those who benefit from the project.

The Trust’s focus is on learning disabilities that have resulted from a birth condition that affects the ability to learn normal life skills due to a significant general impairment in intelligence.

Please note that learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia or neurological conditions like ADHD do not form part of the Trust’s remit.

Eligibility

Grants can only be made to institutions or organisations who are registered Charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations or Community Interest Companies.

Grants are not normally given in two consecutive years unless for multi-year grants. Any subsequent funding will be conditional on the success of the first year and timely reporting

What the Trust will fund

The Trustees will prioritise applications from projects which meet the first criteria and at least two of the other five:

Designed for and aimed at people with learning disabilities aged 18 to 30 outside the school environment. Those whose age is 16+ (with learning disabilities) who are not in formal education, training or work will also be considered.
Opportunities for people to gain transferable life skills, which may include how to access support.
Employment experience.
Built in accredited training.
Enabling social interaction with other people, and allow self-expression and confidence-building
Working in partnership with relevant local organisations and service providers.

Revenue and capital expenditure projects will be supported.

Size of grants

The Trust is not large and grants of up to £5,000 are normally given. The Trustees prefer projects which are already partly funded and where the strategy for completing the funding is clearly explained.

Track grant Notes