Access Fund

The Brent District Scout Council Access Fund is a grant-giving fund to enable adults and young people in hardship to participate in BDSC activities, for example, attending a District, County, National or international scouting event.

The BDSC Access Fund is drawn from the BDSC reserves built up from several sources, including the sale of Scout House. The amount in the fund is reviewed annually at the AGM.  Both adults and young people are eligible for this fund.

The BDSC wish to promote adventurous, innovative, high-quality scouting events accessible to all. The BDSC Access Fund endeavours to ensure that cost is not a barrier to young people and leaders accessing these transformational experiences.

What can be funded:

The fund can be used to fund any individual from the Brent District Scouts participating in a scouting event or activity.

We may fund up to 50% of the cost of the event, up to a maximum of £500 (£1,000 for World Scout Jamboree), per individual.

The fund is not aimed at financing whole group block applications purely to reduce the cost of the trip overall unless the entire group is in hardship, in which case it will be necessary to detail how each individual member meets the criteria.

Who can apply?

Any member of The Brent Scout District with a particular financial need can apply; (financial need is defined as the difference between what it costs to attend and what the applicant can afford to pay). All applicants will be considered.  Below is a list of cases which may lead to circumstances where support may be given.

  • Young Carers

  • Child/ Young Person in care

  • The recent death of a Parent or Guardian (within 12 months)

  • Convalescence after illness

  • In receipt of Free School Meals (except those in lower primary years)

  • Pupil premium funding

  • Physical/mental health issues (applicant’s own)

  • Recent redundancy (of applicant or next of kin, within 12 months)

  • In receipt of state pension

  • In receipt of benefits

  • A young person in Part-Time work (less time to fundraise)

  • A young person in need of additional support in the form of a carer whilst abroad.