Grants Spotlight: Fashion and Textile Children Trust

With a wave of high street store closures affecting shops from major brands to independent retailers, redundancies in the retail and textile supply chain are becoming more common. As workers lose jobs or see reduced hours, many families find it harder to cover basics for their children.

One organisation stepping in to offer support is the Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT). Their Redundancy Grants for Parents in Fashion and Textiles offer support to families who have worked for an eligible UK fashion and textile employer.

What the FTCT grant offers

FTCT’s redundancy grant is aimed at parents or carers who:

• have worked for an eligible UK fashion and textile employer for over one year within the last nine years.
• have children aged up to 18 and are facing financial difficulty after loss of income through redundancy from eligible UK fashion and textile employers.

Rather than replacing lost income, FTCT funds essential items for children’s wellbeing that families may now struggle to afford. Examples include:

• Essential clothing such as school uniform and seasonal wear.
• Baby essentials like clothing or equipment.
• Children’s bedroom furniture (e.g. beds or storage).
• Essential white goods such as washing machines or fridges.
• Specialist items for children with additional needs, including adaptive equipment.
• Grants are discretionary and tailored to what applicants need most urgently, offering practical relief at a time when household budgets are under pressure.

What the FTCT redundancy grant doesn't cover:

• Household bills
• Food costs
• Debts
• Replacement of lost wages

How to apply

Families who meet the criteria for FTCT’s redundancy support and would like to apply, should start by completing an enquiry form on the charity’s website.

The trust will assess the eligibility of applicants and guide them through the next steps of making a full application.