Teaching Staff Trust

The Teaching Staff Trust, evolved from the Teachers’ Benevolent Fund, is a UK-wide charity dedicated to relieving financial hardship among current and former education staff who have worked at least five years educating under-19s, including teachers, teaching assistants, support staff, caretakers, administrators, and nursery workers. Rooted in compassion, discretion, and resilience-building, it provides a vital safety net against crises like illness, bereavement, redundancy, or eviction, offering non-repayable grants for essentials such as bills, rent, food, travel, and home furnishings. Its values emphasize dignity, rapid support, and adaptability, as shown in responsive aid during COVID-19 and cost-of-living pressures, with over 1,833 grants totalling £1.58 million awarded from 2020-2024.

The Trust funds one-off emergency hardship grants and limited regular payments for retired staff, focusing exclusively on poverty alleviation to prevent crisis escalation and sustain the education workforce's wellbeing. Beneficiaries span all roles in schools, nurseries, and related settings across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Eligible applicants are qualifying individuals only—no organisations, charities, or loans—with no income thresholds or geographic limits beyond UK residency and employment history verification. Applications via online form are accepted rolling with decisions in five working days.

Distinctive for its inclusive scope beyond teachers, high approval rates, modest needs-based awards (£15-£7,000, mostly under £1,000), and non-stigmatising direct payments, it excludes project funding, core costs, or organisational support, prioritising immediate individual stability over systemic change.