Apply for up to £3,000 to deliver learning opportunities for Waltham Forest residents

Community groups in Waltham Forest can apply for funding of up to £3,000 to deliver teaching and learning opportunities that help local residents build their skills.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 4 May, 2025

We’re offering funding grants of up to £3,000 to local community groups to deliver teaching and learning opportunities for residents and group members.

We know that many residents may not feel ready to access formal education, training or employment. But with the right support, delivered in familiar and welcoming spaces, people are more likely to take that important first step. Community learning can be a powerful bridge to a better life – helping people grow in confidence, develop new skills and access new opportunities.

We also recognise the fantastic work already happening across the borough and want to help grow and support it. We’re particularly interested in projects that help residents take their first step into learning – increasing motivation and confidence and opening doors to further education and training.

Community and voluntary groups are often best placed to reach people who might not otherwise engage with learning. Your work can provide innovative and inclusive routes into education for those who need it most.

Our aim is to make learning accessible, exciting and relevant. Classes supported through this fund can help people connect, support families and – for those who choose – lead to formal qualifications.

About the Community Learning Fund

This fund supports work with disadvantaged individuals and communities. It’s designed to help people take part in learning and move towards further education or sustainable work. With the rising cost of living continuing to impact many households, this fund plays a vital role in supporting community wellbeing, resilience and upskilling.

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Information Sharing Meeting and FAQs

We’re hosting a series of information sessions for organisations interested in applying for Community Learning funding. These sessions are a chance to speak with Adult Learning Service (ALS) managers, share your project ideas and explore how they could align with the local offer.

You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about the fund and the application process, including general information about how Community Learning funding works.

The sessions are especially helpful for organisations that haven’t applied before, but all are welcome. Attendance is optional and will not be considered as part of the assessment process.

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Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service’s key aims are listed below, your applications should cover, but not be limited to the following:

Improving quality of life

• Physical Health and Wellbeing and Mental Health and Wellbeing

Improving outcomes for Families

• Wellbeing, healthy eating, and lifestyle programmes.
• Family STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math) provision.

Increasing digital literacy skills and digital inclusion

• Support those with no or low digital skills
• Support more people progress onto the new fully funded Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQs)

Improving participation amongst men and help overcome isolation amongst older residents.

• Reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Increase awareness of Green Agenda:

• Increase and promote our Carbon literacy offer in line with local authority climate emergency agenda.
• Offer upcycling and recycling courses.

Learning Projects that support the cost-of-living crisis

• Supporting residents with household and personal budgets
• Cooking on a budget

Priority groups

We will particularly welcome groups who work with unemployed residents with low-level skills or without qualifications who haven’t learned for a while or are underrepresented in community learning including:

• Individuals and families on low Incomes
• Individuals and families experiencing domestic violence
• Residents with long term health conditions/mental health issues and COVID related health conditions
• BAME especially Pakistani / Bangladeshi / Afro-Caribbean
• Men

Priority Wards / Areas

• Leyton
• Higham Hill
• Cathall
• Hoe street
• Leabridge
• Markhouse
• Wood Street
• Cann Hall

Intended outcomes of community learning:

• Economic outcomes e.g. secure employment, volunteering
• Social Inclusion
• Cultural Integration and Awareness
• Community Cohesion
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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To request an application form please email us by clicking the link below:

Get in Touch

Whether you need to get in touch to join a course, let us know if you're unable to attend your course, raise a query, let us know your feedback or anything else, contact us using the options below. You can also talk to an adviser live by clicking on the green speech bubble in the bottom right of the screen.