How we can help
All through their education, in a system heavily biased towards the hearing world, deaf and hearing impaired people experience communication difficulties. To overcome this, students often need to study harder and longer than many hearing people, needing access to books, software apps and special equipment. The Peter Greenwood Memorial Trusts exists to support these individual needs
WHO RUNS THE TRUST?
A small team of volunteers (trustees), including members from the Deaf Community, manages a trust fund established using donations made in Peter Greenwood’s memory. Each year, some of the money in the trust fund is given out as small grants to people who apply to the Trust for this help. The Trust fund is kept ‘topped up’ from time to time by generous donations made by individuals and organisations.
WHAT CAN A GRANT BE USED FOR?
A bursary from PGMT is normally offered to successful applicants to buy course books, software or special equipment needed for his/her studies or training.
In many cases, applicants are eligible to apply for a Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA); this is a grant to help toward meeting the additional studying costs or expenses that students face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty.
They are intended to help disabled students study on an equal basis with other students. Full-time, part-time and postgraduate students all qualify for help.
DSAs are paid on top of the standard student finance package and are not means-tested.
The PGMT does not exist to offer student allowances, but it can offer a ‘last chance’ of help for applicants to buy specific items not specifically covered by a DSA (or the applicant may have applied for a DSA but been refused one).
Those who have received our support in the past have successfully gone on to achieve technical qualifications, teaching and counselling certificates, diplomas, BA, BSc and Masters degrees and other qualifications.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT?
You must be able to show that you are either deaf or hard of hearing by securing the support of a sponsor – this must be someone who knows you well, and who works with you professionally, such as teacher, tutor, lecturer, supervisor, disability officer or social worker. Your sponsor should not be a member of your family or a friend. They will be asked to confirm that you are deaf or have a hearing loss.
WILL I GET THE AMOUNT I APPLY FOR?
If your application is approved, the amount of money you might receive depends on how many other people apply and how much money is available from the Trust fund. The trustees will consider the information you provide in your application and they will contact your sponsor. The decision of the Trustees is final.
IF I AM SUCCESSFUL WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY BURSARY?
The PGMT has now introduced two periods during each year when applications are processed and when applicants who are successful will receive their bursary cheque in the post.
Winter applications should be made by February 28th.
Bursaries will be awarded on or soon after March 31st.
Summer applications should be made by October 31st.
Bursaries will be awarded on or soon after November 30th.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
You need to fill in our Application Form – you can do this online from this website – choose the menu option ‘Apply Now’ and fill in the details. Please note that someone from the Charity will contact your chosen sponsor to ensure that your application is in order and that your personal circumstances allow you to apply to the Trust for a grant.