If the funding you need is not available under the various funding schemes offered by Skillset, there are various sources of funding available within the UK.

If you are seeking funding to help you attend a course, you may want to approach your local Regional Screen Agency who could have bursaries for people working in certain areas.

You could also approach your local Learning and Skills Council for advice and also explore the possibilities of Career Development Loans which are made at a preferential rate to people such as yourself. You can find out about how to get an information pack about Career Development loans from your local Jobcentre or by calling free on 0800 585 505 or by visiting the www.lifelonglearning.co.uk.

There are also a number of directories available at public libraries, which are worth working your way through:

• The Educational Grants Directory (published by the Directory of Social Change).
• Charities Digest (Waterlow Information Services).
• Grants Register (Macmillan Press).
• The Directory of Grant Making Trusts (Charities Aid Foundation).

You may also want to contact the www.ctbf.co.uk who can offer grants to individuals on 020 7437 6567. In addition it is worth noting that some training providers such as the National Film and Television School Short Course Unit and the BBC, have a freelance rate that they provide whether Skillset is supporting the course or not, so it is always advisable to ask training providers if they provide discounts. Other than that, if you are a student, you may want to write to individual colleges and universities directly to see if they can offer any other help and advice.

We hope this is of some help - good luck!

Skillset, Focus Point, 21 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9GB. Tel: 020 7713 9800