Lived Experience Bursary
People who have faced mental health challenges, especially those who have been in hospital, worked with crisis teams, or had long-term contact with secondary care, often experience social and economic exclusion, making it hard to access traditional education and professional training pathways.
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People who have firsthand experience with the mental health system are often especially well placed to support others. This bursary is one way we can remove financial barriers, support someone in their professional growth and go a small way towards building a mental health workforce that reflects the diversity of those it serves.
About the Bursary
Thanks to generous grant funding, we are offering a Lived Experience Bursary for someone with lived experience of mental health challenges or who has experienced the mental health system to study our Level 7 Diploma in Relational Practice in Mental Health, starting in September 2026.
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The bursary covers all course fees and also includes support with travel costs to our training centre in Richmond (up to £250 over the academic year), which can be used for public transport or mileage.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
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Have lived experience of mental health challenges or as a recipient of care through mental health services*
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Be currently working or volunteering with vulnerable adults. We accept paid, unpaid, part-time, and informal roles, as long as your work lets you write a case study, lead a group, and build a learning portfolio.**
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Have the confidence to manage wellbeing during studying potentially triggering subject matter.
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Have the right to study in the UK.
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Be able to start studying in September 2026.
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Be able to travel to Richmond one day per week during term time.
To protect the privacy and wellbeing of everyone in our communities, current CHT residents are unfortunately not able to apply for the Diploma programme.
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*We understand that 'lived experience' often means something different to everyone. If you have faced mental health challenges, trauma, substance use, hospital stays, or received any kind of mental health support, we welcome you to apply, however you define your experience.
**These are requirements of the course.
How to Apply
To apply, please contact Iwona Munia for an application form. The form will include a space for a personal statement outlining how you met the eligibility requirements.
The form will need to be returned by 31 May 2026. We will review applications in June and let the successful candidate know by 30 June 2026.