Search button Manage account button
Simply meeting people’s financial needs
Menu

We’re sorry, but some customers are experiencing intermittent issues with our Online Account (for members). We’re working hard to fix this as quickly as we can.

Helping individuals

For times of need

Help for individuals and their dependants needing financial or emotional support, information, guidance and advice – or grants for training.

We provide:

Hardship grants

When financial difficulty strikes – perhaps as a result of redundancy or a period of unemployment – it can have a devastating impact on individuals and their families.

You could be eligible for help if you currently work in construction or if you’ve done so previously. In the past, the Trust has lightened the load for people in a number of ways. We provide financial help for people in times of need, such as homelessness, (rent in advance, rent arrears or mortgage arrears) essential utility arrears (gas, electricity, water, oil and council tax), funeral costs and support towards mobility aids for individuals with medical needs.

If you’ve been directly affected, or you’re an organisation or employer who knows of someone who may need support, the B&CE Charitable Trust is here to help.

Hardship grant eligibility criteria

Check whether you’re eligible to apply for a hardship grant from B&CE’s Charitable Trust.

  • Rent in advance or deposit
  • Rent or mortgage arrears
  • Essential household bills (gas, electricity, water and council tax arrears)
  • Funeral costs
  • Entry level training construction courses only (we do not offer grants for NVQ or degree level courses
  • Disability aids (for example mobility scooter, wheelchair, and stair lifts)
  • Day-to-day living costs
  • White goods
  • Bankruptcy fee
  • Flooring
  • Debt relief orders
  • Individual voluntary arrangement
  • Loans, credit cards or overdrafts fees
  • Car finance, MOT or repairs
  • Carer fees
  • Holidays
  • Clothing
  • Non-essential house maintenance

If you can prove that you’ve worked in construction within the UK, as a ‘tradesperson’, for at least 12 months (at any time within your employment history), you could be eligible. We support individuals who work or have worked on a self-employed or sole trader basis. However, we do not provide support to directors of limited companies.

A ‘tradesperson’ is someone who is or has been manually involved in the build of a project. For example:

  • A grounds person working as a civil engineer on a project
  • A labourer working on a site
  • A painter and decorator
  • A plant driver working on site as part of a construction build project
  • A scaffolder

Other examples of tradesperson jobs are listed in the Construction Industry Joint Council agreement.

How to apply for a hardship grant

If you’d like to find out more about applying for a hardship grant or an occupational health grant, get in touch – we’ll be happy to help.

Call our Construction Worker Helpline on 0808 801 0372 (Freephone 8am-8pm, 7 days a week) or email us at charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk.

Grants for education and training

We offer 2 types of grants for education and training.

1. To get back into construction

If you’ve worked in construction for at least 12 months (at any time within your employment history) and been unemployed for a minimum of three months, you can apply for a grant of up to £500 to gain a qualification.

2. To retrain in another construction skill

If you’ve worked in construction for at least 12 months and need to take a fresh look at your construction skills due to an occupational health issue such as an illness or injury, the Trust can help with a grant of up to £750 for you to retrain.

If you can prove that you’ve worked in construction, as a ‘tradesperson’, for at least 12 months (at any time within your employment history), you could be eligible.

A ‘tradesperson’ is someone who is or has been manually involved in the build of a project. For example:

  • A grounds person working as a civil engineer on a project
  • A labourer working on a site
  • A plant driver working on site as part of a construction build project
  • A painter and decorator
  • A scaffolder

Other examples of tradesperson jobs are listed in the Construction Industry Joint Council agreement.

How to apply for a grant for education or training

To find out how to apply for an education or training grant call our Construction Worker Helpline on 0808 801 0372 (Freephone 8am-8pm, 7 days a week) or email us at charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk.

Our Construction Worker Helpline

Need help with debt or money worries? Struggling with mental and physical health issues? Perhaps you’d like some guidance about housing and social welfare or some emotional support like counselling?

Our Construction Worker Helpline provides free support and guidance in times of need.

Call us in confidence today on: 0808 801 0372

Freephone 8am-8pm, 7 days a week.

Association of Charitable organizations