GRANTS
Financial Grants for NEXT Parents
If you’re the parent of a child under 18 and you’ve experienced a sudden loss of income, an unexpected change in circumstances or a family event which is causing you financial hardship, the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT) may be able to offer a grant to help your family.
The FTCT supports children of people working in fashion, textile or clothing related businesses. NEXT is just one the many companies who meet their criteria and we are proud to have worked with the FTCT over the past 10 years.
Hundreds of NEXT families have been helped by FTCT grants, so read on to see if you could apply.
Funds can be provided for essential items including:
Clothing and school uniform
Bedroom furniture
Study equipment, including laptops
Specialist equipment and sensory toys
Mobility equipment
Therapy - including Mental Health Support for the Children in the family, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and more.
Click here to find out how to apply and all that they fund
Quote from a NEXT employee supported by and FTCT grant.
“The grant eased a lot of stress on me. If I hadn’t applied, I could have made-do without these things, but having them has made my life so much easier and given me peace of mind. To any other parent, maybe in the same situation, I would recommend you apply for the FTCT grant. It’s amazing, it’s also very easy to apply. Things will get better with time and there are really good people out there who are willing to help you. It’s not just practical help, it’s a mental thing, when you ask for help, you don’t feel alone."
To apply for an FTCT grant:
You must be the parent or carer of a child (aged 0- 18 years)work
OR have worked in the UK fashion and textile industry for at least one year within the last nine years AND meet FTCT’s financial hardship criteria- as detailed here
When applying for an FTCT grant, you will be asked to share details of your home and financial situation and supply documents to support your application, including a recent bank statement.
If you feel a bit anxious about getting in touch, don’t be. This is a totally confidential service for NEXT employees. FTCT does not share any application information with NEXT, their role is solely to promote the FTCT. You have nothing to lose by getting in touch and seeing if they can help.
For more information about their criteria and application process visit ftct.org.uk