Launchpad Information Sheet
  

Launchpad is a registered charity through which a small grants scheme for unemployed people is operated. Funding for the scheme is raised voluntarily through coffee mornings, concerts, donations and occasionally from a business or a charitable grant program. If you come into any of the categories listed below, a small grant (approximately £250) may be available to you.
 
Who can receive a grant?

You can apply for a grant if you live permanently in Inverness and District, are over 18 years of age and have been recently registered unemployed for 6 months or more.

Grants may be made for:
 

1. Purchase of rental of tools and/or other equipment for the personal development of your skills or hobbies.

 

2. Purchase of basic equipment/interview clothes/fees to reapply for driving licence et cetera to help in your preparation for a return to work.

 

3. Group activities to assist you with the expense incurred in the start-up costs of bringing a group of people together for a constructive purpose.

 

4. Educational or recreational courses. Payment of fees for which other funding is not available. We will also consider an application for 2 levels of course, with payment of the 2^nd level guaranteed if the first level are successfully completed.

 

5. Participation in sporting activities. Purchase of sports equipment and clothing, payment of membership subscription and/or entrance fees for events in which you are a participant and course training fees.

 

6. Travel costs incurred with any of the above.

 Notes
 

• Car driving lessons are not usually funded by the Launchpad scheme

 

• You will be requested to attend an interview after your application and two references have been received. You will be advised as soon as possible after the interview as to whether your application has been successful or not.

 

• Any award made by launchpad will remain open for 3 months from the date of the offer. If it is not taken up by the applicant during that period, the offer will be withdrawn and the money used to support future applicants.

 

• No cash will be given to the applicants. Awards will be made in the form of payment to suppliers of goods or services on receipt of their invoice by the Launchpad treasurer. Such payment will be limited to the amount of award offered to the applicant.

 

• Completed application forms should be sent to Launchpad Inverness (Crown church), Crown church office, Kingsmills Road, Inverness, IV2 3JT.

To download an application form please click here.

To download the Annual Report and Financial Statements to March 2022 click here. 

What they said...

"I am writing to thank the Launchpad committee for approving my application for a desktop computer. It is great to be able to produce minutes and letters for my groups without delay. I am currently looking into starting a college course in August."

"This is just to thank you for the funding awarded to me to purchase my guitar. It is my "wee dream" come true! Much appreciated!"

"Thank you for the bicycle. I love it. Thank you."

"Thank you so much for the £150 for horse-riding equipment. I was able to get a helmet, jodhpurs, full-length boots and a really good riding jacket. I will send you a photo of me on one of the horses when I get them developed. Many thanks again!"

What others said...

"This hobby has really boosted M's self esteem and filled his days with new ideas - plus he has had fun experimenting with his various gadgets. I hope that as he continues making things he will start believing in his own abilities and that sometime in the future he will gain employment with a company that can use his skills - or else begin producing things for sale himself."

"Mr R used the grant to purchase various items of outdoor equipment needed to allow him to undertake his role of a walking group leader. He led groups of walkers for a week long challenge to raise sponsorship for Children Fist. We have received very positive feedback about his abilities whilst undertaking his role from those who participated."

 
 
 
 
 
Referees may discuss individual applications and should do so using the contact form on the website for Crown church (www.crown–church.co.uk)
 
Launchpad is very grateful to have received funding for 2023 from the Benefact Trust Ltd – English charity registration 263960