Wellbeing grants (Fitness and leisure activities)

Wellbeing grants (Fitness and leisure activities) is sponsored by Clergy Support Trust. The Clergy Support Trust offers Wellbeing grants to promote health, increase social interaction, and reduce isolation.

Wellbeing grants | Clergy Support Trust Designed to help promote your health and happiness. Eligible households can apply once per calendar year for one Wellbeing grant. Check your eligibility today We have received over 3,300 applications for support in 2026 so far.

Our small, hard-working team will endeavour to respond to your application as soon as we can. You can help save time by uploading your supporting documents when you apply, and by checking if the recent changes to our eligibility criteria affect you.

The processing time - from when your application and the supporting paperwork are received, to receiving an email from our team with the outcome of your application - for a Wellbeing grant is six weeks . Please note that if your application is complex in nature, it may take longer for our team to complete. Grant designed to promote your household's health and happiness.

In addition to our wellbeing support , if you are eligible, you may receive one wellbeing grant per calendar year per household. Please take a look at our range of wellbeing grants below. We can only consider one category per application per calendar year (e.g., holiday or gym membership).

Many of these are available without means-testing or providing detailed financial information. Use our Eligibility Checker "With the support of the holiday grant, I was able to relax and plan a break that didn’t have to be completely on a shoestring." Depending on your household composition, we can provide grants towards the cost of an annual holiday up to a maximum of £2,000.

For adults, up to £500, as part of a family holiday: Spouse, parent or carers over the age of 25 Adult children (18-25) with long-term health and/or care needs Adult children (25+) with long-term health and/or care needs For children, up to £300, as part of a family holiday: Children under 18 years old Adult children aged 18-25 (in full-time education, not including post-graduate Masters or PhDs) For single adults, including single parents: up to £750 due to single supplements.

If you would prefer to stay at home and enjoy family days out, we can provide a grant of £1,000. If you are in receipt of ill-health state benefits, or a family who require extra care / disability related costs when considering a family break away, please get in touch with our team, as we may be able to provide you with a grant larger than the standard amounts listed above.

Please provide with your application quotes/estimates for: When you intend to go and details of immediate family members within your party Your verification document(s) You are responsible for making travel insurance arrangements We can't fund a holiday which you have already taken If your holiday is above the maximum we can support, we will ensure that you are able to fund the difference as we cannot fund trips that may incur debts Applications for a Wellbeing holiday grant must be for a holiday taken within the same calendar year as the application.

For example, if you apply for a holiday grant in 2025, this must be for a holiday taken in 2025. Grants are available towards the cost of a wellbeing or spiritual retreat for clergy (stipendiary or self-supporting) and retired clergy. We can also help couples and families to take a retreat together.

As a family, for adults, up to £500 per adult Spouses, partners and carers over the age of 25 Adult children (18-25) who have chronic health and/or care needs Adult children (25+) who have chronic health and/or care needs As a family, for children, up to £300 per child Children under 18 years old Adult children in full-time education (not including post-graduate Masters or PhDs) On your own, up to £750 per adult for single applicants, parents and those wishing to retreat alone.

For families or individuals with chronic health and/or care needs, we can consider retreat costs up to the maximum £2,000, as suitable retreats may cost more. If you are a permanent wheelchair user, and/or require a carer to accompany a family member on holiday, please consider applying under ‘respite breaks’. We appreciate that such breaks can result in additional costs in finding suitable disabled facilities.

If you are eligible to apply under ‘respite breaks’, we can consider funding up to £3,000.

Please provide with your application quotes/estimates for: When you intend to go and details of immediate family members within your party Your verification document(s) You are responsible for making travel insurance arrangements If your retreat is above the maximum we can support, we will ensure that you are able to fund the difference as we cannot fund trips that may incur debts Where possible, please apply before booking your retreat, but we do understand some retreats may be required in urgent circumstances.

Please apply within 3 months of taking the retreat. Applications for a Wellbeing retreat grant must be for a retreat taken within the same calendar year as the application. For example, if you apply for a retreat grant in 2025, this must be for a retreat taken in 2025.

We welcome applications for funding to support a sabbatical, up to £1,000. Do please include details of how you wish to spend your sabbatical in your application. Please apply in advance of your planned sabbatical (eg itinerary - including dates, quotes and estimated costs for accommodation, travel and sustenance.

We cannot consider supporting a sabbatical if you have already completed it. For applicants with chronic health and/or care needs, we can consider sabbatical costs up to £2,000.

Sabbaticals documentation Please provide with your application: Dates, quotes and estimated costs for accommodation, travel and sustenance You verification document(s) You may also want to consider: Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards Please note that applications for a Wellbeing sabbatical grant must be for a sabbatical taken within the same calendar year as the application.

For example, if you apply for a sabbatical grant in 2025, this must be for a sabbatical taken in 2025. Fitness and leisure activities Exercise and social interaction can help to promote physical health, overall mood, boost immunity, help with sleep and general wellbeing. We can help with funding activities which promote health, increase social interaction (hobbies) and reduce isolation, up to £1,000 per year.

Gym memberships (or digital fitness subscriptions) We are unable to consider funding if you have already committed to join a membership or purchased the equipment.

Fitness and leisure activities documentation Please provide with your application: A quote/estimate or booking form when submitting your application Your verification document(s) If you are expecting your first child, including adoption, you may apply for a grant of £1,000 towards the costs. First time parents who are expecting twins (or adopting more than one child at the same time) may apply for a grant of up to £1,500.

We would ask you please include a copy of the child’s birth or adoption certificate, within 12 months of their birth or adoption. Alternatively, you can apply in advance of the birth with supporting evidence in the form of a MAT B1 certificate signed by a registered doctor or midwife.

Please provide with your application: Copy of the child’s birth or adoption certificate, within 12 months of their birth or adoption OR MAT B1 certificate Your verification document(s) Education and skills courses Skills-based training course Former clergy, current and former spouses/partners, widow(er)s of clergy can choose to attend a skills-based training course that helps to expand future employment prospects.

This is for courses where the costs are paid up-front and no student finance is available. We may also consider funding initial set-up costs towards equipment for a non-ordained spouse/partner to start a new business. Tuition fees for children We may be able to help with extra tuition fees for children (18 or under) who may be struggling with their education.

Educations and skills courses documentation Please provide with your application: Your verification document(s) Note: Education and skills grants are not available to those who have left ministry to pursue another career path. To progress any application, we need the support document(s) listed above in the category type above and your verification document(s) . Without these, we can't reach a decision.

The video shows you how to successfully: register on the application system take screenshots (Mac, PC, Phones and Tablets) get a copy of your stipend that isn't blank attach supporting documents to your application Please ensure that you apply for one support category per application and provide the requested documents.

Please check that you are eligible for a wellbeing grant before applying: You may also find the questions and guidance helpful. The Reverend Barry Forde needed a bike to stay healthy, commute to work and spend valuable time with his family. We were happy to help with a Wellbeing Grant.