Queen’s Institute Relief Fund for Health and Wellbeing Projects in United Kingdom

The Queen’s Institute Relief Fund offers one-off grants up to £5,000 to support community-led health and wellbeing projects across Northamptonshire. The fund prioritizes initiatives that improve physical, mental, and emotional health, reduce isolation, support independent living, and empower local residents through education, skills development, and active community engagement.

About the Fund

The Northamptonshire Community Foundation Queen’s Institute Relief Fund is designed to strengthen grassroots voluntary and community initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people’s wellbeing. The fund supports projects that enhance physical, emotional, and mental health, encourage healthy lifestyles, and enable residents to participate actively in their communities.

Key Focus Areas

• Supporting individuals to live with or manage health conditions.

• Enabling greater access to healthy lifestyles and improved life chances.

• Providing skills, training, and education to people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions for employability.

• Encouraging active citizenship and volunteering in the community.

Eligible Activities

• Support and advocacy groups for people living with a health condition.

• Community projects promoting emotional, mental, and physical health.

• Initiatives that reduce isolation or provide social activities for vulnerable groups.

• Projects that help people live independently in their own homes.

• Use of arts, creativity, physical exercise, and sport to improve wellbeing.

Funding Details

• Maximum Grant: £5,000 per project.

• One-off funding for short-term or start-up initiatives.

• Eligible applicants: Small, locally managed voluntary, community, or self-help groups based in Northamptonshire.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Operate under a written constitution or set of rules, including a dissolution clause.

• Involve volunteers not part of the management committee in project delivery.

• Have relevant safeguarding and equalities policies in place.

Exclusions:

• Social enterprises with persons of significant control.

• Capital projects (building or renovation works).

• Profit-making organisations or businesses.

• Political activities or activities exclusively supporting or promoting religion.

How to Apply

1. Ensure your group meets eligibility requirements.

2. Prepare a project plan detailing objectives, activities, and anticipated outcomes.

3. Include supporting policies such as safeguarding and equalities documents.

4. Submit the application within the next funding round (autumn/winter following county-wide expansion).

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate clear community impact on health and wellbeing.

• Highlight approaches that address emotional, physical, and mental health simultaneously.

• Include details on how volunteers will contribute to the project.

• Showcase creative methods such as arts, sport, or exercise to achieve outcomes.

FAQs

1. What is the maximum grant available? Up to £5,000 per project.

2. Who can apply? Small voluntary, community, or self-help groups based in Northamptonshire.

3. Can the fund be used for building works? No, capital projects are ineligible.

4. Are social enterprises eligible? Generally no, if persons with significant control are involved.

5. Is funding available for religious or political activities? No, these are excluded.

6. Do projects need volunteers? Yes, volunteers must be involved who are not on the management committee.

7. When is the next funding round? The next round is expected in autumn or winter 2026.

Conclusion

The Queen’s Institute Relief Fund empowers small local groups across Northamptonshire to enhance health, wellbeing, and community engagement. By providing targeted, one-off grants, the fund helps grassroots initiatives improve quality of life, reduce isolation, and support vulnerable populations through innovative and inclusive projects.