The RCN Foundation offers a variety of support services for healthcare support workers in the UK, including financial support and professional development. You do not need to be a member of the RCN to receive this support.
Financial support
The The RCN Foundation Benevolent Service offers grant of up to £500 to healthcare support workers that are facing financial hardship.
This is a one-off payment that does not need to be repaid. You do not need to be a member of the RCN to receive a hardship grant.
There are specific criteria that you must meet in order to be eligible for an RCN Foundation hardship grant. Learn more about these grants and the criteria here. We also recommend reading our FAQs.
Professional development
At the RCN Foundation, we offer different types of grants to support the educational and professional development of healthcare support workers. You do not need to be a member of the RCN to be eligible for the majority of RCN Foundation education grants.
We open two rounds of education grants each year - in Spring and Autumn. Each round offers different grants, and some may have specific criteria for different professional groups.
Grants that healthcare support workers are eligible to apply for are:
- RCN Foundation Professional Bursary Scheme (£1,600)
- RCN Foundation Kershaw Grant (£500)
- RCN Foundation LV= Grant (£1,600)
- RCN Foundation Olufunke Adeyeye Grant (£1,600)
You can find more information about our grants here.
Emma is a Macmillan Colorectal Cancer Care Coordinator at Wirral University Teaching Hospital. Observing the significant mental health impact of cancer on patients, Emma received a grant to pursue a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills. The grant enabled Emma to advance her professional development and provide more advanced psychological support, influencing her team’s holistic approach to patient care.
Signposting
Our signposting hub is a directory of help available to you, ranging from counselling to debt advice. We also have numerous other helpful resources that can help you – whether this is to help your source furniture, clothes or other hardship support available in your area.
Additional support
We don’t just provide grants – there’s so much other support available.
ShinyMind
If you are struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, we have partnered with ShinyMind, an evidence-based, proven mental health and wellbeing app.
ShinyMind have provided free app access to healthcare support workers in England that are working in a non-NHS setting (including social care) – complete this form to start your wellbeing journey today. The app is also available for free for healthcare support workers working in the NHS in England. Download the app for free today.
Please note, ShinyMind is currently working with NHS Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to roll-out to the nursing family within these areas in the future.
Tickets for Good
We’ve partnered with Tickets for Good to provide healthcare support workers with free and discounted tickets to the theatre, comedy shows, gigs and more! Create your free account today and check out what’s happening in your local area.