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How it works
We aim to support all members of our community through funding, partnerships and advice.
Our community is at the heart of everything we do.
Over the last few years, we’ve expanded the ways we support you and your family. But we know that building the confidence to take that first step and ask for help can be one of the hardest things to do. At Foothold we'll do our best to make you feel supported and at ease so you can overcome whatever challenges you're facing with confidence.
Keep reading to understand what you can expect when you first reach out to us, and how we might be able to support you to get back on your feet. If you're ready to get in touch now, fill out our initial enquiry form.
To make the best use of our limited funding and to support as many engineers as we can we assess each application individually against our savings and eligibility criteria.
We understand that sometimes savings may be set aside for an essential future expense such as home repairs or retirement so please do not let that stop you from contacting us – we will always consider this.
For financial awards, we also take into account your household income and use the Minimum Income Standards published annually by Joseph Rowntree Foundation for guidance.
If you are or used to be a member of IET/IEE/IERE, we can help support you with:
- Legal support
- Financial support
- Neurodiversity support
- Counselling and therapy grants
- Care and disability grants
- Housing support
- Sleep support
- Wellbeing hub access
If you are a student or an apprentice, we offer wellbeing support to help you complete your studies. This could include:
- Disability and carer support
- Wellbeing hub access
Eligible students who believe they may be neurodivergent can also benefit from our Engineering Neurodiverse Futures programme, offering tailored support to help you finish your studies, achieve your career goals and reach your full potential.
To apply for this programme, you must:
- Be aged between 16-25
- Be studying your first engineering course
- Agree to the programme terms and conditions.
You can also join our free Differently Wired Hub for engineers, a dedicated online resource which offers expert advice, information and content on a range of neurodiverse conditions including ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Tourette’s Syndrome.
Find out more about our Engineering Neurodiverse Futures programme and our Differently Wired Hub here.
We could help support you with care-related costs if you are or ever have worked or trained in engineering and technology. This could include:
- respite care
- home adaptations
- breaks and activities for carers
- Wellbeing hub access
We aim to help support the wellbeing of the entire engineering community, and that includes family members too. Each situation is unique but we may be able to support:
- Partners of IET/IEE/IERE members
- Parents with care and disability needs who live with the eligible person
- Children under the age of 18
- Grandchildren (wellbeing support, and support for people living with autism)
- Partners of deceased IET/IEE/IERE members
- Wellbeing hub access
You do not have to be currently employed as an engineer to apply for our support. If your work is linked to engineering, you may be eligible for:
- All our online support – Wellbeing Hub, Differently Wired Hub, webinars, app, blogs
- Care & disability grants including neurodiversity assessments/diagnosis
- Carer support
- Counselling grants
How to get in touch
The best way to get in touch with us is by filling out our initial enquiry form.
What happens next?
Once you’ve completed our initial enquiry form, we'll ask you for a few more details about your specific request.
Then one of the team will get back to you within two working days.
Financial support
This is our support for day-to-day living expenses or emergency financial support.
Once we have your information, we’ll make a decision and let you know the outcome.
We’ll make the payment directly into your bank account. Our payments are classified as ‘charitable gifts’ and won’t be taken into account if you apply for any benefits.
Please get in touch with us today - we're here to support you.
SUPPORT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX
Your stories
Foothold saved me from anxiety and from falling into depression. To anyone needing support I would say: make the call. You’ll receive wonderful support from fantastic, trained staff who really listen to your concerns.View story Read Emma’s story of getting autism support for her kids
I'd let my mental health define me. But now I’m in control of it - it’s not in control of me. If I hadn’t got in touch with Foothold I wouldn’t be in this position. I really do appreciate everything.View story Read Michael’s story of his mental health journey
Ben had to miss out on activities, and it began to affect his day to day life. Unfortunately, a FES device is not available on the NHS in our area, so we’d need to fund it ourselves to keep Ben mobile. I could not allow Ben to return to pain and be reliant on a wheelchair, so we began to look at other options. Thankfully Foothold were able to help.View story Read Jon’s story of finding disability support for his son