Welcome to The Ruth Hayman Trust
Empowering lives through education and training
Access to education and training is key to creating a fairer society. We give small grants to adults who have come to settle in the UK and speak English as a second language. Read 'Our Story' below.
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Please Note: ​
Our next closing date for Grant Applications and references is 18th March 2025
OUR STORY
Empowering Lives Through Education and Training
At Ruth Hayman Trust, we are committed to breaking down barriers to education and training.
Our mission is to provide financial support to individuals who face challenges in accessing education and training. We believe access to these has the power to transform lives and create positive change in our communities.
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Many people who have come to settle here, especially refugees and asylum seekers cannot afford to study basic English, or to study vocational or academic courses due to the costs of exams and learning materials, all of which are essential to their future in the UK. A grant from the Trust can open doors, help them to build new lives and use their skills to contribute to UK society.
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The Trust is governed by a Trustee Board. There are no paid staff and all work is undertaken by the Trustees. 99% of all donations are given in grants.
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​You can find out more about the Trustees and our Patrons by clicking
​​here
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2023 - 2024
£104,000 in grants
183 grants from 568 applications
99% of all income spent directly on grants - your donation really does make a difference
Applicants from 42 countries; the majority of which were refugees or asylum seekers
Educational and Training Grants
The Ruth Hayman Trust awards grants to support the education and training of adults who have come to settle in the UK. Their first language is not English and they cannot afford the full fees for their studies. ​We support those suffering severe financial and social hardship, in particular refugees, people seeking asylum and survivors of modern slavery, domestic violence and trafficking.​
Despite the support of our incredible donors, fundraising efforts and volunteer support, the demand for educational and training grants far outweighs our income. This means we have to use criteria to choose who we give grants to. We do not accept applications for university course fees, unless the qualification is essential for the work applicants want to do and we do not give grants for PhDs.​ For a full list of what you can apply for and what we are unable to give grants for please go to our Grants Page
The average level of a grant is between £300 - £500. Our maximum award is current £1,500. We are able to consider making more than one award per course.​
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To find out about our application process please click here
Our Impact
Fahima's story
Fahima's story
What our beneficiaries say
S from Afghanistan was awarded £1,500 towards her second-year degree course in Medicine after an outstanding reference
from her tutor.
​“I was over the moon when I got this grant. It’s not just the money. It gave me the confidence to apply for other funding and now I have what I need for this year. When I started this year, I didn’t have enough for the fees, and I was so stressed that it was affecting my studies. Now I am catching up, and have enough money to take proper care of my own health.”
Psychiatrist, from Turkey, awarded £1171 for the CASC (Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies) examination fee required to work in the UK as a psychiatrist.
"Financially the assistance relieved a significant burden, and knowing that an organisation like the Ruth Hayman Trust was willing to invest in my education boosted my morale and my determination to persevere through the exam process. "
M a dentist, from Afghanistan, awarded £1,000 for a dental nursing course
"I'm incredibly grateful for this grant. It's exactly what I needed to get started working in clinics again. I was feeling really down about being away from my career and I was struggling with how to get back into it, so this is a huge boost."
Applicant from Eritrea, awarded £1,500 for electrical installation training
"It is one of the best news I got in a long time. I have no words to explain what it means to me. The grant is not just financial but also in every aspect of my life. When I feel hopeless you show me hope, when I needed a hand you lend me yours. I cannot say thank you enough"
A teacher from Ukraine awarded £1,300 for a CELTA course (Level 5)
"I am very grateful to the Ruth Hayman Trust. Thanks to them I finished the CELTA course and later got a job as an English Teacher at College"
Nursing Student
"The grant (towards a nursing degree) made such a difference. It came just at the right time. I am so grateful for the money."
Refugee, qualified 2023
" needed to apply and complete the Level 3 Electrical installation course which is [what] employers ask... but I couldn't apply because I was unemployed. I asked for a grant from the Ruth Hayman Trust and completed the course."