News & Stories
Published 29 July 2026
Twenty education professionals facing some of life's toughest challenges have received enhanced support thanks to a contribution from CSIS Charity to Teaching Staff Trust (TST).
The funding enabled TST to enhance grants awarded between November 2025 and April 2026, helping teachers, nursery staff and education professionals overcome immediate financial hardship while navigating serious health issues, family breakdowns and other unexpected life events.
As the only independent grant maker dedicated to supporting people working across education, TST provides practical financial assistance and connections to wider sources of support when the unexpected happens. The partnership with CSIS has allowed the charity to make a greater impact for beneficiaries at a time when demand continues to rise.
The additional funding reached education professionals with significant immediate needs that were affecting both their wellbeing and ability to work. Recipients included teachers, school leaders and early years staff who had devoted years of service to supporting children and young people.
Among them was Kimmi, a teacher of 10 years who experienced financial abuse and relationship breakdown while on maternity leave. Facing housing arrears, food insecurity and uncertainty as her Statutory Maternity Pay was ending, she received support including food vouchers, help towards housing costs and funding for essential household items.
Jon, a senior teacher with 27 years' experience, received support after suffering a stroke. Unable to work and facing reduced household income while recovering, he and his family received help with essential living costs and counselling.
The fund also supported Amanda, a nursery manager undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and Angela, a primary school teacher dealing with serious mental health challenges while caring for her dying mother. In both cases, support helped ease immediate financial pressures, allowing them to focus on recovery and wellbeing.
The CSIS-funded support comes at a time when demand for assistance is increasing significantly across the education workforce. Applications to TST have risen by 18% year on year, and TST is also seeing increasingly complex circumstances among those seeking help, including the need for debt advice, emotional support and practical guidance alongside financial assistance.
The charity distributes grants annually, supports hundreds of beneficiaries and works to connect people with specialist services that can improve their long-term resilience. Last year, 90% of beneficiaries reported improved wellbeing following support, while 75% said their financial crisis had been significantly or completely addressed.
Teaching Staff Trust would like to thank CSIS Charity for its generous support and shared commitment to helping education professionals through periods of financial hardship.
The contribution has provided practical help, reduced stress and offered hope to beneficiaries at a time when they needed it most. As financial pressures across the sector continue to grow, partnerships such as this play a vital role in ensuring education staff can access the support they need to continue living and working well.