Bright Futures Fund
Supporting children from low-income households to get involved in extracurricular activities.
We're thrilled to announce that, following a successful pilot, Wokingham Borough Council has renewed its commitment to the Bright Futures programme with a generous funding of over £20,000. This initiative is dedicated to helping students from low-income households unlock their full potential through enriching extracurricular activities.
Believing every child deserves the chance to shine, regardless of their background. The mission is simple: to empower children from low-income households to unlock their full potential through enriching extracurricular experiences.
The Bright Futures Fund provides financial support for a wide range of extracurricular activities, including school trips, club memberships, sports equipment, instrument rental purchase and participation fees. From sports to arts, music to science clubs, we’ve got you covered.
Applications are welcomed from schools, alternative educational providers, youth groups, sports clubs and relevant local charities. To ensure a streamlined process, applications are exclusively accepted from referring agencies. If a parent/guardian is eager to apply, we encourage collaboration between them and the respective school or activity group to facilitate the application process effectively.
Referring agencies will need to undertake financial due diligence to ensure beneficiaries of the award meet the grant programme’s criteria of low income and will also commit to completing the necessary monitoring report upon conclusion of the grant project, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Bright Futures: Impact of the Previous Funding Round
Thanks to the generous support from Wokingham Borough Council Tackling Poverty Strategy, the
previous round of Bright Futures funding made a meaningful difference in the lives of local
young people. A total of 29 successful applications were awarded, benefiting 196 young
people with a combined grant total of £22,466.12. Grants enabled young people to
access to enriching extracurricular activities that would otherwise be out of reach. The
impact has been profound - children found joy in choirs, garden treasure hunts, new friends
with shared interests. Families expressed deep gratitude for the relief and opportunities
the funding provided. One parent shared, “This grant was a godsend… now Ruby can go on to
study performing arts at college.” The variety of opportunities for the young people have
fostered skill development, academic improvement, personal growth, and community
integration, helping young people build confidence, make new friends, and feel a true sense
of belonging.
These grants give every child the opportunity to feel equal and participate in these invaluable experiences.