Access Grants Guidelines
Overview
Our Access Grants, funded through modern philanthropic giving, via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, from members of the Goldsmiths’ Company, ensure that finance is not a barrier to taking part in the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s business and technical skills training.
At the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we recognise that specific groups are systematically under-represented or under-supported in the UK’s jewellery, silversmithing and precious metal industry. As part of our commitment to inclusion and social mobility, we have allocated dedicated funding available to cover course fees for individuals who face financial difficulty, with priority given to those with lived experience of groups outlined in ‘How to apply, Step 3’.
We look forward to receiving your application. If you need any additional information or advice prior to submitting your application or you need the form in a different format, please contact Julia Skilton, Grants and Engagement Manager at the Goldsmiths’ Centre to discuss how best we can support you.
Call our team on + 44 (0)207 566 7650 or email applications@goldsmithscentre.org
1. What can I apply for?
The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Access Grants can be used to apply for:
Fees to cover any business or technical skills training at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
One course per year.
All available Goldsmiths' Centre technical and business skills training that are not sold out in the next three months. Grants cannot be used to pay in part for a course.
Access Grants are available for all skills training programmes scheduled within the next three months. A full list of upcoming fee-paying courses can be found on our What’s On page
Who can apply?
Access Grants are available to jewellers, silversmiths and people working in the UK precious metal industry who face financial difficulty, evidenced by their eligibility to receive government benefits. Preference is given to groups who are under-represented or under-supported in the industry
These include, but are not limited to:
Black or minoritised ethnic background (e.g. the Global Majority) including Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.
Disabled people including physical, mental health, ‘hidden’ and learning disabilities.
Those from a high Index of Multiple Deprivation area.
Currently or previously a migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker.
Eligibility for government support:
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Universal Credit in place of ESA / Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
To apply you must be based within (live in the UK) and have a bank account in the exact name that you are applying with.
How do I apply?
This section details how to apply and the supporting documents you will need to submit with your application form. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Step 1: Read these guidelines and ensure you are eligible for the Access Grant.
Step 2: You can apply for the Access Grant via our online application form can be accessed via any standard web browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The application takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, if you have all of the documents required. You can save and return to your application. To make the process easier, you should have the relevant support documentation ready to upload, as listed in this guide.
Step 3: You will need to provide the following information as part of your application:
1. Contact information: Your name, postal address, email address and telephone phone number.
2. Priority applicants: As part of the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Access Grants will be awarded to applicants who meet any of these financial circumstances:
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Universal Credit in place of ESA / Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
3. Supporting Documents: If you are eligible for dedicated funding, you will need to have proof of your entitlement to one of the government benefits (listed above) available to upload before starting your application.
This document can be a photograph taken on your phone, a scan, or an electronic document, which MUST SHOW the first page of your statement This MUST include your name, postal address, be dated recently and detail the benefit you receive. Please note that files cannot be larger than 16MB and need to be labelled with your name.
4. – 7. Under-represented and under-supported groups: If the Access Grants are oversubscribed, we prioritise groups who are under-supported or under-represented in the industry as listed here. The information that you provide will only be reviewed by the grants team and will subsequently be deleted.
You will be asked questions as to whether you identify as:
Black or minoritised ethnic background (e.g. the Global Majority) including Gypsies, Travellers and Roma.
Disabled people including physical, mental health, ‘hidden’ and learning disabilities.
Those from a high Index of Multiple Deprivation area (current or childhood residence).
Currently or previously a migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker.
8. You will be asked to name the course you would like to undertake, as well as one other choice if your first choice is not available. You can choose any technical or business skills short courses listed at www.goldsmiths-centre.org/whats-on
9. You will need to briefly explain how the selected courses align with your current skill level and training needs, highlighting how they will build on your existing knowledge and help you achieve your goals.
10. You will need to confirm that you have read all the information and acknowledged that you have the basic technical skills required for the short course.
11. Outline how you heard about the Access Grants so that we can ensure more people hear about this opportunity.
12. You will be askedto agree via a digital signature to the terms and conditions associated with applying for the grant.
Step 4: You will then be sent via email a link directly from Survey Monkey to an online Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity form (EDI). This form is anonymous but requires completion before your application is considered. This will help support the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s EDI strategy – see www.goldsmiths-centre.org/about-us/equity-diversity-and-inclusion
Step 5: Once received, your application will be assessed by an independent panel. Please allow up to two weeks between submitting your application and being informed via email from applications@goldsmithscentre.org whether you have received an Access Grant and which course you have been allocated.