Deadline: 01-Aug-2026
The Dementia Carers Fund offers financial support to charitable and community-based organisations working to improve the wellbeing of unpaid carers of people living with dementia. The programme focuses on reducing carer burden and improving resilience through practical support, respite, and companionship services.
It is designed to help carers maintain their own health and wellbeing while continuing to support their loved ones.
Key Aims of the Fund
- Improve wellbeing and resilience of unpaid dementia carers
- Provide respite support to allow carers to attend personal appointments
- Reduce anxiety about leaving loved ones in care of others
- Encourage self-care and mental health breaks for carers
- Support volunteer befriending and companionship initiatives
- Strengthen community-based carer support systems
Funding Details
- Grants of up to £3,000 per project
- Previous annual distribution: £16,540 across four funding rounds
- Funding supports charitable projects in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
- Focus on small-scale, community-based interventions
Geographic Scope
- Cambridgeshire
- Peterborough
- Projects must primarily benefit unpaid carers in these areas
Who Is Eligible?
- Registered charities
- Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs)
- Community interest companies (CICs)
- Social enterprises
- Community-based non-profit organisations
- Certain schools and sports clubs (if meeting criteria)
- Organisations must be not-for-profit and community-focused
- Organisations with income above £5,000 must be legally registered
- Some CICs and social enterprises must be operational for at least one year
Eligible Project Types
- Respite care and short-break support services
- Volunteer befriending schemes
- Carer wellbeing and mental health initiatives
- Practical support services for unpaid carers
- Activities enabling carers to attend personal appointments
- Community-based support networks for dementia carers
Eligible Costs
- Staff salaries related to project delivery
- Vehicle hire or transport services
- Capital items required for service delivery
- Direct project implementation costs
- Community support service expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities already completed before application
- Fundraising events or campaigns
- Debt repayment
- Political or religious promotion
- Overseas travel
- Statutory or legally required services
How the Fund Works: Step-by-Step
- Identify needs of unpaid dementia carers in the community
- Design a support project (respite, wellbeing, or befriending-focused)
- Ensure eligibility as a non-profit organisation
- Prepare application using correct fund form
- Submit one application per funding round
- Application is reviewed by Grants Team
- If successful, receive up to £3,000 funding
- Deliver project within Cambridgeshire or Peterborough
- Report on outcomes and impact
Application Rules
- Only one application per organisation per funding round
- Incorrect application forms may affect eligibility
- Applications may be reassigned to a suitable fund if needed
- Must clearly demonstrate charitable purpose and local impact
- Must meet eligibility and governance requirements
Evaluation Criteria
- Impact on unpaid dementia carers
- Quality and feasibility of project design
- Strength of community benefit
- Evidence of need and demand
- Sustainability of support services
- Value for money and effective use of funding
Why This Fund Matters
- Reduces stress and isolation among unpaid carers
- Improves mental and physical wellbeing of carers
- Supports essential respite and recovery time
- Strengthens local dementia care support networks
- Enhances community-based caregiving capacity
- Improves quality of life for carers and families
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for non-local or out-of-region projects
- Including ineligible costs such as debt or fundraising
- Submitting more than one application per round
- Lack of clear focus on unpaid dementia carers
- Weak explanation of community benefit or impact
Pro Tips
- Clearly define how carers will directly benefit
- Emphasize respite and wellbeing outcomes
- Include strong evidence of local need
- Focus on practical, deliverable support services
- Demonstrate clear community engagement
- Keep project scope realistic within £3,000 limit
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the maximum grant amount? Up to £3,000 per project
- Who can apply? Non-profit organisations working with dementia carers
- Where must projects be delivered? Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
- What is the main focus? Supporting unpaid dementia carers
- Can funds be used for salaries? Yes, if directly linked to project delivery
- Are fundraising events eligible? No
- Can organisations submit multiple applications? No, only one per funding round
Conclusion
The Dementia Carers Fund provides targeted financial support to improve the wellbeing and resilience of unpaid dementia carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. By funding respite services, befriending initiatives, and practical support projects, it strengthens community care systems and helps carers maintain their own health while supporting loved ones.
For more information, visit Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
