Launching the Wee Bursary in Edinburgh: a new chapter for the Hymans Robertson Foundation

The launch of the Wee Bursary in Edinburgh marks an important new chapter for the Hymans Robertson Foundation, strengthening our commitment to widening access to education and supporting young people at key moments in their lives.

For the Foundation, supporting this expansion represents more than simply taking an existing programme into a new city. It reflects our growing ambition to back practical, meaningful initiatives that help remove financial barriers and give young people the confidence and stability they need to focus on their education, learning and employment opportunities. Building on what we have learned elsewhere, this support allows that impact to reach a new community.

The Wee Bursary itself is designed to offer targeted, flexible financial support to young people who may otherwise struggle with the rising costs associated with education and day‑to‑day life. Whether it’s helping with travel, IT, learning materials or essential living expenses, it’s rooted in a simple idea: that small, timely sums of support can make a significant difference to young people’s lives.

We’ve already seen the positive impact of this approach through our involvement with Bursaries in Birmingham and Glasgow. In both cities, the bursary has helped young people navigate financial pressures, reduce distractions caused by money worries and feel more supported as they progress through their lives. Feedback to date has reinforced how valuable this kind of practical assistance can be - not just financially, but in boosting confidence and a sense of belonging.

Supporting the bursary’s introduction in Edinburgh allows us to take those experiences forward and apply them in a new context. We hope it will offer similar reassurance and opportunity for young people in the city, helping them to take and continue opportunities and plan confidently for the future.

As the Foundation continues to evolve, partnerships like this play a vital role in shaping our direction and impact. The move into Edinburgh is a clear step forward - one that reflects our belief in targeted support, long‑term thinking and the power of education to change lives.

We’re proud to support the Wee Bursary’s expansion into Edinburgh and look forward to seeing the difference it will make for young people in the years ahead.

If you’d like to learn more about the work of the Hymans Robertson Foundation or explore how partnership led, trust-based funding can make a difference, please get in touch.