The RLSE grant
from St Giles
RLSE Fund Temporary Pause
Thanks to the incredible interest and the inspiring range of applications we’ve received, over £13,000 of this year’s £25,000 fund has already been awarded. This is in addition to £5,000 that was distributed in an earlier round.
As a result, and to ensure that the remaining funds are used thoughtfully and fairly, we will be pausing the next round of RLSE applications from 2 August 2025 until December 2025. This short pause will allow us time to reflect on the programme’s impact, plan for the final rounds of funding, and ensure we continue to support people where the need is greatest.
What this means:
- No new RLSE applications will be accepted between 2 August and December 2025
- The programme will reopen for applications in December 2025
- A further round is also planned for February 2026
If you or someone you’re working with was preparing to apply, please hold onto your plans. We’d love to see your application when the fund reopens. Updated guidance and application forms will be available in November.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss future applications, please email RLSE@stgilestrust.org.uk.
What is the RLSE?
The St Giles Trust RLSE Grant was inherited from the Royal London Society in 2016 to provide grant support to people leaving prison. St Giles Trust RLSE (RLSE) today provides grants to prison leavers , who are seeking to gain employment.
As well as the main RLSE grant there is also a ‘Hobbies Grant’ for those with over 2 years left on their sentence, this can be used to purchase anything from art supplies to crafts equipment and book. Information on the application can be found below.
In 2022 alone the St Giles RLSE grant awarded in total over £25,000, providing 165 prison leavers and hobby grant applicants with funding.
Applications can be made by an individual who has been or is currently involved with the Criminal Justice System; the individual must be actively working with an organisation(s) who offer employment support such as a Probation Officer, Prison Officer, CRC Resettlement Worker, Job Centre Careers Advisor or Employment Support Worker. Applicants can apply for one grant category, within the capped amount or from multiple grant categories within the capped amounts; however, the total amount we will fund will be no more than £500.
When are applications decided?
All applications will receive an acknowledgement within two days of receipt. If you are eligible we will let you know when the decision panel meets to discuss your application. If your application is ineligible or information from it is missing, we will write to you to let you know.
The decision panel meets every two months. Within two weeks of the panel meeting, applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.
For further information please email RLSE@stgilestrust.org.uk.