From everyday challenges to exceptional circumstances, the Chemists' Community Fund (CCF) has been here for over 100 years supporting Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) members and their families.
To better understand those we support, the CCF commissioned research into the experiences of grant recipients from the past three years. Through surveys and in-depth interviews, clients shared their experiences and journeys from first reaching out to the CCF, to life after receiving support.
The research found that CCF support often arrives at moments of genuine crisis and can have a lasting impact on people's wellbeing, finances and ability to move forward.
At a glance: what this research tells us
- CCF support reaches people during genuine moments of crisis.
- Grants help members maintain stability and keep moving forward.
- Caseworkers are one of the most valued parts of the service.
- Mental health improvements were reported by 94% of recipients.
- Grants are overwhelmingly used to cover everyday essential costs.
- How people are treated matters as much as the financial support itself.
- Low awareness and stigma around asking for help remain a key barrier.
'Someone on my side'
One of the clearest messages from the research was the difference that CCF caseworkers make.
93% of recipients said communication with their caseworker was easy.
Many clients described feeling anxious, overwhelmed or ashamed before seeking support, often finding it difficult to explain their circumstances or ask for help. Speaking to a caseworker helped change that experience.
"I was really hugely impressed by how they handled everything...the tactfulness of the caseworker."
"The CCF made me feel they saw me as a person, not just a researcher. It felt much more like a community."
For many, having a dedicated CCF caseworker meant feeling that there was finally ‘someone on my side’.
And the research was clear: how people are treated can be just as important as the financial support they receive.
Meet the team
Meet the people behind the support and discover how the Chemists’ Community Fund team is here to help.
Support that helps people keep going
For most, grants often arrived at times of genuine crisis, helping people manage illness, unexpected changes to their income, caring responsibilities, study pressures and more.
Support helped people regain stability, reduce stress and identify a way forward.
The positive impact of CCF support was clear:
- 94% said their mental health improved
- 93% were better able to cover essential outgoings
- 88% were able to continue work or study
- 77% were able to start work or study
- 73% were better able to manage debt repayments
- 72% said their physical health improved
It’s clear that CCF support provides more than just financial relief. It creates breathing space, reduced uncertainty and enables people to focus on getting back on their feet.
“My experience started when I got my diagnosis, and immediately the first thing you think is, ‘How am I going to pay the bills?’ I got this email saying everything that the CCF were going to give me, and I almost burst into tears."
Where support is making a difference
The research also provided valuable insight into how recipients use CCF grants, showing that the grants were overwhelmingly used to address immediate needs and help maintain stability.
CCF grants are most commonly used to help members and their families pay for everyday essentials:
- Food (21%)
- Utility bills (19%)
- Rent or mortgage costs (17%)
- Transport costs (tickets, fuel) (11%)
- Essential home or car repairs (5%)
These findings reinforce the value of the CCF providing flexible support that enables clients to address the challenges most important to them. Discover what grants the CCF offers by clicking on the dropdown boxes below.
These grants are for the unexpected and could cover an essential home or car repair, replacement of essential electrical goods, new school uniforms or school equipment for your child, mobility and disability aids, and more.
Regular support for when your income is impacted – whether you’re struggling to find work or have an unexpected change to your planned employment, are going through redundancy, experiencing a health issue or diagnosis, or something else.
Our student hardship grant is here to support you if you’ve had an unexpected change in financial circumstance since starting your studies. Our graduate support grant is also here if you need support to secure employment after graduation.
Breaking down the barriers to asking for help
Many people spoke about the challenges of asking for help, describing it as one of the hardest steps to take. The research also showed that people often self-exclude or delay contacting the CCF as they're not sure if we can help.
They described feelings of embarrassment, worry or uncertainty before applying.
"Sometimes it's difficult to ask for help. And if you've got complicated circumstances, the emotions attached are often quite difficult."
"I didn’t like it because I think that’s like admitting that you need help."
However, after receiving support, their views often changed:
"I would say to anyone who was a member of the RSC and was in challenging circumstances to not hesitate in contacting them."
Is the Chemists’ Community Fund for me?
It also became clear that many people were initially unsure about whether the CCF could help them. Some assumed support was only available to people in certain circumstances.
"I had heard about the CCF before, but for some reason, in my mind, it was only for people with families who were struggling."
The CCF is here for every member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and their family.
Whether you're studying, working, taking a career break or retired, we're here to help you navigate life's challenges with confidence.
You can find the full list of who the CCF supports by clicking the link below.
We’re here for you
Behind every statistic in this research is a person who reached out for support when they needed it most. And their experiences are a powerful reminder that no one should have to face life's challenges alone.
While reaching out can often be the hardest decision, it can also be the first step towards getting the support you need. In 2025, 94% of clients reported being satisfied with the support they received from the CCF, highlighting the impact of timely support delivered with care.
Find out more
If you or your family are facing a challenge, big or small, personal or professional, the Chemists' Community Fund is here for you.
This client research was conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: online surveys
An online survey was conducted among recipients of CCF hardship grants awarded between 2023 and 2025, achieving a 45% response rate. Some groups were excluded from the sample, including those currently receiving payments or reapplying for support.
Stage 2: in-depth interviews
The survey was followed by in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted by an independent research consultancy with clients who had consented to being contacted after completing the online survey. Participants were selected to reflect the diversity of CCF clients and their experiences. Given the potentially sensitive nature of the research, interviews were conducted using a trauma-aware approach and in line with recognised safeguarding best practice. Participants were able to control the pace and focus of discussions, received information about support services in advance, and were signposted to further wellbeing and specialist support following their interview if needed.
Research objectives:
- map clients’ end-to-end journey
- identify barriers to applying for, and using, grant support
- understand how grants address recipients’ needs, and identify any gaps
- uncover opportunities to strengthen support
- understand how easy or difficult it was to complete the process and paperwork required
- understand how easy or difficult it was to communicate with the CCF.