Membership Hardship Fund

Don’t let financial concerns distract you from the amazing work you do to support those in need

When our minds are focused on these concerns, we often can’t bring our best work to the people we’re working with and offer the same impact. We want to reassure you that we will continue to support you through this uncertain time through our range of membership benefits, events and wellbeing sessions.

Our hardship fund

For those of you needing further support we have established a fund to help you with professional membership costs. This fund is not means tested and is used internally to reduce your membership fees for up to a year.

Applications for the fund will be open between 9am, Wednesday 6 August and 11.59pm, Wednesday 17 September 2025.

Download an application form

The funding is limited however, and the scheme ends when the fund's budget is met.

If you are accepted on to the hardship fund it will come into effect from Wednesday 1 October 2025, when memberships renew.

If you wish to apply for the fund please check that you are eligible then download and complete the application form.

If you have any questions about the fund, please feel free to get in touch with our Professional Advisory Service via hello@rcot.co.uk.

Who is eligible for the fund?

What do I need to access the fund?

The fund is not means tested but you will need to apply via our simple form. To complete the form you will need:

your membership number
your membership category
contact details
a short summary of why you’re applying for help with your RCOT membership fees.

Your summary need only be a short paragraph (approx. 250 words) discussing how your currently being affected and how a reduction in your fees would go some way in supporting you.

The current situation is hitting everyone differently and we want all our members to feel able to reach out if they need support.

When are applications open until?

Download the Membership Hardship Fund application form

RCOT hardship fund membership application form 2025

Our members who successfully applied to the fund said:

This will make a huge difference. Many, many thanks.

Thank you so much for helping out your members, this is a wonderful and heart-warming idea.

Thank you and RCOT for supporting us OTs currently struggling.

Please remembe,r that as all RCOT/BAOT members are members of UNISON (except for those who are wholly self-employed or employed overseas) you can also access UNISON’s There for You service which offers financial assistance for members experiencing a range of financial difficulties.