In response to the impact of coronavirus of care leavers in higher education – especially the fact that courses have stopped or moved online and young people may have had to leave student accommodation – the EBSF has decided to offer small grants  to cover expenses that young people have had to incur directly as a result of being affected by the current coronavirus crisis.

An application form was quickly devised and the scheme was advertised through the Birmingham Children’s Trust care leaver’s service. See link below to download the application form. http://www.evebrookfund.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Grant-application-for-Emergency-Expenses-15.4.20.docx

Thus far (mid-May 2020) the scheme has received 7 applications and has granted in total £1,000, mainly for books, printers and stationery and some miscellaneous expenditure. The EBSF also offers 1:1 phone contact for any applicant who also requests this. We will review the scheme after three months, but it is likely to continue as long as coronavirus restrictions continue to impact on young people’s studies.