Training and education can open doors and help you move on from homelessness. If you want to brush up your maths, learn new digital skills, or move into further education, we’re here to help. It might be a challenge, but you can do it – it’s never too late to learn.
On this page, you can find out more about what help you can get to help you get back into training and education, including bursaries and going onto further education.
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How can you help me get back into education?
Do you have any industry work experience courses?
Do you have any English and maths courses?
Do you have any digital skills courses?
What financial help is available to me for my education?
Top tips for getting back into learning
How we can help you get back into education
Wherever you’re starting from and whatever you’re aiming for, we’re here to help you achieve your goals.
You might have been out of education for a while, or had difficult experiences of learning. But our programmes are different – they’ve been designed specifically for you.
Our training is free. It’s taught face-to-face, with some online sessions.
We also have bursaries available to help you. A bursary is a fixed amount of money that you don’t have to pay back. It can cover essential learning costs, like text books or travel.
Our team of friendly advisors are ready and waiting to get you started.
Email the Jobs and Education Team at JETreferral@centrepoint.org to find out more, or fill in this quick form
What we offer
Industry work experience and training: Get Set Go
Want to kick start your career? Our Get Set Go programmes are a great introduction to different sectors and will help to prepare you for the world of work.
Get Set Go programmes cover a whole range of industries, including:
- Hospitality and catering
- Building and construction
- Digital
- Health and social care
- Retail and customer service
- Warehousing and storage
Whichever programme you choose, you’ll find out what it’s really like to work in that sector. You’ll gain the skills and qualifications you need to confidently start your career.
What are the benefits?
- Job-focused learning, specific to your chosen sector
- A work experience placement with an employer
- An employer reference once you have completed your work experience placement
- Employability skills, like CV writing, building confidence and preparing for a new job
- English, Maths, and information and communication technology support
How long is the work experience?
Three to four days per week, for four to six weeks.
How much does it cost?
It’s free.
Email the Jobs and Education Team at JETreferral@centrepoint.org to find out more about Get Set Go.
English and Maths courses
Strong English and Maths skills can make you feel more confident – at work and in everyday life.
Course: Award in English Skills and Award in Maths Skills
What are the benefits?
- Essential skills, learnt step-by-step
- Help and guidance from a supportive trainer
- The option to take one module, or the full course
- A strong foundation for further learning and work
How long is the course?
Flexible, delivered over a number of days or weeks.
How much does it cost?
It’s free.
Course: Functional Skills English and Functional Skills Maths
What are the benefits?
- The option of courses from entry level up to Level 2
- Training that includes real-life examples to help you build confidence
- Support and guidance throughout your training
How long is the course?
Courses are usually two or three days per week for approximately 12 weeks.
How much does it cost?
It’s free.
Email the Jobs and Education Team at JETreferral@centrepoint.org to find out more about English and Maths courses.
Digital skills
Great digital skills will set you up for a job in any sector. Brush up your existing skills and learn new ones.
Digital Skills for Work and Life
What are the benefits?
- Develop your understanding of digital skills needed for everyday life and work
- The chance to refresh your existing skills and learn new ones
- A strong starting point to move onto further digital training, such as our Essential Digital Skills programme
- Lots of support and guidance to help you feel confident using your new skills
How long is the course?
One day.
How much does it cost?
It’s free.
Course: Essential Digital Skills for Work (EDSQ)
What are the benefits?
- A qualification that’s recognised by employers and training providers
- Strong digital skills, including creating and editing digital documents and carrying out online transactions
- Knowledge of how to stay safe and responsible online
- Support from helpful trainers
How long is the course?
Courses are usually two to three days a week, for approximately 12 weeks.
How much does it cost?
It’s free.
Email the Jobs and Education Team at JETreferral@centrepoint.org to find out more about digital skills courses.
Ready to get started?
Our programmes are available to you if you’re aged 16-25 and have been affected by homelessness, whether you’re living in Centrepoint accommodation or elsewhere. They’re also free .
To chat through your options, email the Jobs and Education Team at JETreferral@centrepoint.org. We’d love to hear about your goals, and help you take the right steps to get there.
If you’re in Centrepoint accommodation, you can also speak to your key worker who will refer you for training and education support.
Bursaries: funding to support you in work and education
Travel. Laptops. Text Books. They all cost money and can quickly add up.
A bursary is a fixed sum of money that covers a specific cost. And you don’t ever have to pay it back. It can help take the pressure off financially, so you can concentrate on your work or studies.
Centrepoint bursaries could help fund you while you’re in and education or training. Check the criteria for each one before applying.
Education, Employment and Training Bursary
To cover the costs of essentials needed to access education, employment and training including; laptops, course fees or uniform. Here is some guidance on how to apply to the Education, Employment and Training (EET) bursary.
Childcare Bursary
To cover the cost of childcare while you’re in education, employment or training.
ID Bursary
To cover the cost of identification needed for a job or training course.
Garrett University Bursary
To provide a laptop if you need one and funding throughout your time at university that can be used for text books or travel. Here is some guidance on how to apply to the Garrett university bursary.
Refugee Bursary
To support refugees or asylum seekers in Education, Employment or Training (EET), or 100% of the cost of visa or citizenships applications if you are a refugee.
Learning Travel Bursary
If you live in Centrepoint accommodation, ask your key worker about this bursary for journeys to work, education or training.
Email the Bursary Team at bursary@centrepoint.org to find out more about bursaries.
“I just wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise”Read more of Lara’s story
Lara is studying Law at university. She gets financial support through the Centrepoint Garrett University Bursary.
“The Bursary helped me buy revision guides and I bought myself some driving lessons because my university is in Surrey. I also bought subscriptions to keep me informed and up-to-date with policy changes to laws. It has been invaluable. I just wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.”
Top tips for getting back into learning
Ask questions!
Find out as much as you can about a course before you sign up to make sure it’s the right fit for you. And then keep asking questions right throughout your learning – you can never ask too many.
Get in touch with us
We’d love to find out what you’re aiming for, tell you about our Centrepoint programmes, and help you make your next steps. No pressure.
Get into a routine
When you start your course, mark out all the course dates in your calendar so you know exactly what you need to do and when.