Access Support - Arts Council England

If you are Deaf, experiencing poor health, neurodivergent or have a disability, Arts Council England can fund me to support you to write an application to one of their grant programs.

I have been offering access support for a number of years now, working with over 30 clients, and I really enjoy the process of helping shape applications for Developing Your Creative Practice, Project Grants and Music Growth Fund.

Here are some FAQs about the process:

What can I get help with?

I can help you with

note-taking
interpreting ideas to write up answers
processing the application questions and form
navigating the online portal.

How do I apply for access support?

We will have an initial conversation where we discuss your needs and requirements, and then I will write a plan of support that will be submitted with your request to the Arts Council.

How long does it take to get approved?

It depends on the grant, but it can take a couple of weeks to get approved, so make-sure you get your request in early.

Does having a support worker increase my chances of being succesful?

All funding applications are highly competitive so working with an access support worker does not guarantee success, however having a support worker can make your application stronger, easier to understand for the assessor and ensure that you are meeting all the criteria of the application.

How much does it cost?

ACE pay me directly for my services, so it is completely free for you.

How do I get in touch with you?

email me at fundingwithmina@gmail.com

Success Stories

Alexandria - Ghetec:

"Hannah has been a huge part of me securing two Arts Council grants, helping take both projects from a rough idea all the way through to a successful application.

What really works about how she operates is how much she adapts to the person in front of her. As someone who’s neurodivergent, my thinking is non-linear — and Hannah gets that. She brings enough structure to keep things moving without it ever feeling like I’m being squeezed into someone else’s process. It genuinely feels like support built around how my brain works.

Both of the projects she helped me with started as little more than a seed of an idea. Her ability to help draw that out and shape it into something fundable has been invaluable.

I’d recommend her without hesitation — especially to other neurodivergent creatives who need someone who’ll actually meet them where they’re at."