Hardship Fund

Raising awareness of SES Water affordability schemes and Priority Services Register in hard-to-reach areas.

Our Hardship Fund is currently open for project applications. The deadline to submit an application is 18th October.

The Hardship Fund provides financial support to organisations helping local communities facing difficult circumstances. This is a newly introduced fund.

How does it work?

SES Water have a range of affordability schemes to help customers on low incomes manage their ongoing charges and repay their debt; we also have a Priority Services Register which helps those most in need of extra support.

The Hardship Fund provides financial support to organisations that increase awareness and enrolment in our affordability schemes and/or the Priority Services Register in hard-to-reach areas where engagement is typically lower. If you support these customers, we encourage you to apply.

Proposals must be specific and explain how you will increase enrolment. Projects can run for up to 12 months. If you already receive SES Water funding, your proposal must add activity beyond what you currently deliver.

  • Funding can support activities such as:
  • Cost of living workshops
  • Creating and sharing assets (in venues and online)
  • Community in person drop-in events
  • Online Support Groups
  • Events targeting vulnerable or hard-to-reach customers

The following conditions apply to all projects:

  1. Projects must be completed within the agreed timeframe.
  2. Provide monthly updates to SES Water. Where appropriate, include case studies and an end-of-project summary showing impact.
  3. Use social media to support engagement, where appropriate.
  4. Set out the funding requested and how it will increase take-up of affordability schemes and/or the Priority Services Register.
  5. Maintain a clear focus on increasing awareness and enrolment in the relevant support options.
  6. Projects must operate within the SES Water supply zone.

How is the programme managed?

We’ve partnered with ActionFunder, to manage and facilitate this grant programme. Action Funder is a grant management platform revolutionising community investment. Built with funders and driven by AI, it streamlines the funding process delivering money directly into community projects.
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How to apply

Click the button below to apply and create a free ActionFunder profile if needed. Then complete a project application describing what funding you need and its expected impact. Your application will automatically be submitted to eligible funds, including Better Futures.

Click here to apply
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Review and decision time

The closing date for project applications is 18th October.

If you are successful, we’ll send you a funding invitation through ActionFunder. You’ll then be asked to provide further due diligence information before the grant is transferred.

If you don’t hear from us straight away, it doesn’t mean your application is unsuccessful. Due to demand, we may revisit applications at a future review. We aim to decline applications we can’t support on a regular basis; if declined, you’ll receive an email notification.

By maintaining a profile and project on ActionFunder, you’ll automatically be notified of other relevant funding opportunities from other funders.

FAQs