The Wee Bursary: Multi-Partner Funding for Glasgow's Youth

In the first year of its introduction, the multi partner funded Wee Bursary has supported over 360 children and young people across Glasgow.  The Wee Bursary is funded by The Foundation, Wheatley Foundation, FARE Scotland and Clyde Gateway. Introduced in October 2023, the Wee Bursary supports children and young people with hardship grants,  funding for education/employability support, travel (including driving lessons) and data/digital kit.

The Wee Bursary has made a considerable impact on those accessing the grant funding (max up to £300). Referrals for funding can come through schools, youth workers and charity networks across Glasgow.

Here’s some of the ways the Wee Bursary has helped and the impact it has had on lives:

The bursary enabled Z to purchase his provisional driving licence and book his theory test. This then enables him to start his driving lessons which will help him being able to drive sooner and help with family. It will also help him travel for his apprenticeship in the future. Having the bursary pay for his provisional and theory takes a lot of pressure of the family having to pay for it. He just recently started a part time job and will use this money to help with lessons.

K comes from a single parent, low income household so the bursary helped with her buying new essential clothing, toiletries, food, school clothes and stationery for school. This additional stationery will help her prep for her exams and study better. It has taken the pressure off her parent a lot which is very appreciated with the bursary given.

'By providing a young person with school uniform and shoes through the grant, we give them a sense of pride, belonging and self confidence to attend school and raise attainment. I witnessed this first hand when the YP returned to school confidently and clearly feeling included in their peer group'

What’s next?

Funding partners are committed to ongoing funding for the next 18 months. Demand for the Bursary is high: it’s a unique way of directly supporting children and young people in Glasgow get into or maintain a positive destination. Funders of the Wee Bursary are keen to engage with other funders who can financially support the expansion of grant funding to Glasgow based children and young people directly. Is that you? Please get in touch with our CEO directly and there’s wider opportunities to support the Foundation which also provides Bursary funding to young people in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.