Access Fund

Applying for care support

SPRITE+ recognises that some of our members have caring responsibilities that can prevent them from attending workshops, conferences and training events due, in part, to the cost of finding alternative care for their dependents.

We are keen to make our events as inclusive as possible. As such, we have set up an Access fund to support our members to attend SPRITE+ events by contributing towards additional caring costs incurred because of attending one of our events.

Eligibility

The Access Fund can be used by SPRITE+ Members from an eligible UK Higher Education Institution who will experience costs associated with finding alternative care for their dependents while attending a SPRITE+ event. These costs do not include those that a person would normally pay on an ordinary working day, but the additional caring costs that attendance at one of our events may bring.

Criteria

• We are not prescriptive about the types of things that can be applied for as we realise that caring arrangements are varied. However, all requests should cover reasonable costs.
• Only one application can be made per family per event.
• Multiple applications can be made to attend different SPRITE+ events, but we will prioritise those from new applicants.
• We will not normally award more than £250 per family in a single calendar year.
• We will not normally consider applications retrospectively.

Applying for IT support

SPRITE+ recognises that some of our Members may face barriers to participation in our virtual events, including lack of appropriate technology or the need for BSL interpreters, captioning, alt-text on webpages and slides, or audio description. We are committed to doing what we can to help participants overcome such barriers and will offer support to enable them to participate fully and effectively in our online activities.

Eligibility

The Access Fund can be used by SPRITE+ Members from an eligible UK Higher Education institution who will experience costs associated with access to a virtual SPRITE+ event. These costs do not include those that a person would normally pay on an ordinary working day, but the additional costs associated with the purchase of specific equipment that attendance at one of our virtual events may bring.

Criteria

• We are not prescriptive about the types of things that can be applied for as we realise that accessibility requirements are varied. However, all requests should cover reasonable costs.
• Only one application can be made per person per event.
• Multiple applications can be made to attend different SPRITE+ events, but we will prioritise those from new applicants.
• We will not normally award more than £50 per person in a single calendar year.
• We will not normally consider applications retrospectively.

Applying for travel support

SPRITE+ recognises that some of our Members may face barriers to participation in our events, due, in part, to the cost of travel, which cannot always be covered by academic institutions. We are committed to doing what we can to help participants overcome such barriers and will offer support to enable them to participate fully and effectively in our activities.

Eligibility

The Access Fund can be used by SPRITE+ Members from an eligible UK Higher Education institution who will experience costs associated with travel to a SPRITE+ event, where travel arrangements are not already provided by SPRITE+. These costs do not include those that a person would normally pay on an ordinary working day, but the additional costs that travelling to one of our events may bring

Criteria

• Support can be requested to cover travel to a SPRITE+ event for which the travel arrangements are not already provided by SPRITE+. For many (but not all) of our events, travel will be covered by SPRITE+.
• All travel bookings must be made in line with the SPRITE+ Travel Policy.
• Support can be requested to cover UK travel only. No international travel applications are permitted.
• Only one application can be made per person per event.
• Multiple applications can be made to attend different SPRITE+ events, but we will prioritise those from new applicants.
• We will not normally award more than £100 per person in a single calendar year.
• We will not normally consider applications retrospectively.

Applications

You should complete the appropriate SPRITE+ Access Fund Application Form and send it to admin@spritehub.org 4 weeks prior to the SPRITE+ event that you aim to attend.

• Access Fund Application Form - Care Support
• Access Fund Application Form - IT Accessibility
• Access Fund Application Form - Travel

Deadlines

We consider applications on a rolling basis and will decide on applications within 2 weeks of receipt.

Payment

For care support and IT accessibiluty, payment is normally made after the event through BACS. Following approval of your application, you will be required to submit a Claim Form and proof of receipts of expenditure being claimed to admin@spritehub.org. There is an exemption from income tax for expenditure on the provision of work-related training and on the payment of related costs.

For travel support, bookings will usually be made for the applicant by the University of Manchester. Travel details including tickets will then be send to the applicant via email.

If waiting for payment until after an event will prevent you from attending, then please contact admin@spritehub.org.

Commitment to Accessibility

We strive to meet at least level 2 (AA) of the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For more information about the guidelines see: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.