First Class Support

Starting university this September and thinking about applying for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?

Now is the perfect time to get your application submitted.

DSA can help fund a wide range of support for students with disabilities, long term health conditions, mental health conditions, specific learning differences, and neurodivergent conditions, helping to remove barriers and ensure you can access your studies on an equal footing.

The earlier you apply, the more likely it is that your support can be arranged and ready for the start of term.

At First Class Support, we work with thousands of students across the UK, providing support such as:

✅ Specialist Mentoring
✅ Study Skills Support
✅ Specialist Notetaking
✅ Sighted Guiding and Mobility Support
✅ BSL Interpreting

If you're unsure where to start, have questions about the DSA process, or would like advice about the support available, our team is always happy to help.

Get in touch with the team:

📧 [email protected]
📞 01752 358641

We’re incredibly proud to share that our Director, Matthew Mitchell, has been shortlisted for the The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2026 in the Established Business of the Year (South West) category.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are recognised as one of the UK’s most prestigious celebrations of entrepreneurship, bringing together some of the country’s most inspiring business leaders and organisations.

Matt founded First Class Support in 2015 with a simple goal, to remove barriers and create opportunities for individuals who need additional support to achieve their potential.

Over the last decade, that vision has grown into a national organisation supporting thousands of individuals across education, employment and wellbeing, whilst creating opportunities for support professionals across the UK.

Whilst Matt’s name appears on the nomination, he is the first to say that this recognition belongs to the entire FCS family. Every member of staff, support worker, client, student, university partner and organisation we work with has contributed to the journey that has brought us here.

We would also like to thank those who have contacted Matt to say they nominated him. Your support, encouragement and belief in what we do means a great deal.

Whatever the outcome on 16 November 2026 at Grosvenor House, London, we are incredibly proud to see the work of First Class Support recognised on such a prestigious stage.

Congratulations Matt, and thank you to everyone who continues to make First Class Support what it is today.

We are proud to share that First Class Support has been accredited by the Living Wage Foundation as a Living Wage Employer.

At FCS, our people are at the heart of everything we do. The specialist support we provide to students, universities, organisations and individuals depends on a team that cares, listens and makes a real difference every day.

Becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer reflects our commitment to fair pay, employee wellbeing, respect and creating a workplace where people feel valued.

This is important to FCS, and something we are proud of. Thank you to everyone in our team who continues to deliver first class support.

Specialist Engagement Needed❓

Our Pathways programme empowers individuals facing additional barriers. Whether it’s students, job seekers, or community members, we support people to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Our initial 5-week focused programme builds skills, confidence and direction, helping people reengage and achieve their goals.

If your organisation would benefit from an extra layer of specialist support, get in touch with us and let’s create a meaningful and lasting impact.

📞 01752 358641
📧 [email protected]
🛜 firstclass-support.co.uk

Research shows many people still choose not to reach out for counselling because the process feels too complicated, too overwhelming, or too public.

Now imagine if accessing professional counselling could be done in under 60 seconds.

❌ No referrals.
❌ No waiting lists.
❌ No complicated sign-up process.

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

3 Clicks to Counselling is a pioneering new early intervention counselling model launching soon, designed to simplify access to professional support and reach the people who may never normally engage with traditional services.

📱 Scan QR code
📅 Book your date and time
💬 Engage

𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧.

Mental Health Awareness is vitally important.

But awareness without action doesn’t change anything!

Too many people still do not reach out for support because the process can feel too long, too awkward, or simply too overwhelming.

That is why we are proud to announce that 𝟯 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 will soon be launching, designed specifically to remove barriers and simplify access to support.

📱 Scan QR code
⏱️ Session booked in under 60 seconds
✅ BACP qualified counsellors engaged

❌ No referrals
❌ No waiting lists
❌ No complicated sign-up process

💬 Just fast, professional, discreet access to counselling for those who need it.

Coming soon.

🖌️ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗦𝗔 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀

Step 1️⃣ – Apply for Student Finance
* Apply through Student Finance England (SFE)
* Tick the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) box

Step 2️⃣ – Submit Medical Evidence
* Send proof of your condition
* This could be:
* Diagnostic assessment
* GP or consultant letter
* SFE reviews this before progressing

Step 3️⃣ – Book a Needs Assessment
* Once approved, you’ll be invited to book
* Done through an approved assessment centre
* It’s just a discussion about support needs

Step 4️⃣ – Receive Your DSA Report
* The assessor writes a report
* Sent to Student Finance England for approval

Step 5️⃣ – DSA Funding Approved
* SFE confirms what support is funded

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible or what support looks like, feel free to reach out.

📧 [email protected]
📞 01752 358641

Exam season is just around the corner

For many students, that doesn’t just mean revision and pressure… it means facing barriers that can impact their ability to perform at their true level.

At First Class Support, we provide professional, discreet examination support to ensure students can demonstrate what they actually know, not be limited by how they access the exam.

Our support includes:
• Readers – reading questions clearly and accurately
• Scribes – writing exactly what the student dictates
• Prompting – keeping students focused and on track
• Rephrasing – supporting understanding without giving answers

We work with institutions across the UK to deliver reliable, compliant, and high-quality exam support, when it matters most.

If your institution needs support this exam season, get in touch, we're scheduling examination support workers now:

📧 [email protected]
🌍 https://lnkd.in/eHfZYzs
📞 01752 358641

We’re pleased to announce that First Class Support has joined Neurodiversity in Business.

As an organisation working daily with neurodivergent individuals across education, employment and wellbeing, this is a natural step for us. It allows us to be part of a wider network of businesses committed to improving understanding, inclusion and outcomes in the workplace.

We’re proud to be joining a community that includes organisations such as Amazon, Google, KPMG, Lloyds Banking Group, Network Rail and many more, all working towards creating more neuroinclusive workplaces.

At FCS, we don’t just talk about neurodiversity, we deliver practical support that helps individuals succeed and organisations create environments where people can thrive.

We’re looking forward to engaging with other members, sharing best practice, and continuing to support organisations through training and workplace support.

💙 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 💙

We are delighted to announce our partnership with Discovery College, part of YMCA Plymouth, an organisation doing incredible work supporting individuals to build confidence, develop life skills, and move towards positive futures.

Discovery College is a community-based learning provision focused on improving wellbeing, building independence, and helping individuals re-engage with education and personal development in a supportive, inclusive environment.

They provide a safe and supportive environment for people who may be disengaged, facing barriers, or looking to rebuild structure and direction in their lives. The impact they have locally is genuinely powerful, and we are proud to be working alongside them.

Through this partnership, First Class Support will be delivering our Pathways programme, helping individuals bridge the gap between education and employment.

This will include:
• One-to-one, structured support tailored to each individual
• Confidence building and routine development
• CV creation and job platform setup
• Application support and interview preparation
• Ongoing mentorship towards employment, training, or further education

Our engagement will follow a focused plan designed to move individuals from uncertainty to action, with clear outcomes and measurable progress at each stage. This partnership is built around one shared goal:

👉 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬.

We are really excited to commence our support and see the impact this collaboration will have.