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The RCN Foundation offers a variety of support services for midwives and maternity 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 RCN Foundation Benevolent Service offers grant of up to £500 to midwives and maternity 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 midwives and maternity 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.

Our current grants that are open to applications from midwives and maternity support workers are as follows:

  • RCN Foundation Professional Bursary Scheme (£1,600)
  • RCN Foundation Needlemakers Grant (£1,600)
  • RCN Foundation Marcia Macie (£1,000) and Rae Bequest (£1,600) NI
  • RCN Foundation Leathersellers Grant (£1,600)
  • RCN Foundation Olufunke Adeyeye Grant (£1,600)
  • Michelle Cox RCN Foundation Anti-Racism Award (£2,500)

Ffion is a maternity assistant practitioner and was awarded a £500 grant towards an aqua natal course to learn how to teach safe and effective classes. Through an interest in fitness and a desire to improve the lives of women in Wales, Ffion identified aqua natal as a way to implement healthier lives using a holistic approach. Hear more from Ffion and the impact the education grant had.


Jessica is a midwife and was awarded a £200 grant to support with her continuous professional development and help her gain new skills in perineal repair. Jessica was able to practise these skills in a clinical setting and has since been able to share this knowledge with her colleagues. Hear more from Jessica and the impact the education grant had.

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 midwives and maternity 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 NHS midwives and maternity support workers working 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 midwives and maternity 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.