Deadline: 10-Jan-2026
JRNY Consulting has launched a £1.5 million grant programme to improve maternal and neonatal care outcomes for Black mothers, birthing people, and their families in south-east London. The funding supports community-led, anti-racist, and trauma-informed initiatives designed to rebuild trust in maternity services and address racial inequalities in maternal healthcare.
Overview
JRNY Consulting is inviting grant applications to support initiatives that improve maternal and neonatal care for Black mothers, birthing people, and their families.
The programme is part of a broader effort to rebuild trust in maternity and neonatal services and ensure that care provision is culturally responsive, equitable, and shaped by the lived experiences of Black communities.
The initiative focuses on addressing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes through community-led design, collaborative delivery, and systems-level change.
Total Funding Available and Grant Duration
A total of £1,500,000 is available under this programme.
Funding will be awarded as multi-year grants lasting up to three years, enabling organisations to deliver sustained and meaningful impact rather than short-term interventions.
Projects must align with one or more of 11 solution areas that were developed through a community-led design process.
Grant Size and Funding Limits
The programme offers flexible funding to support both individual organisations and collaborative partnerships.
Funding amounts include:
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Minimum grant of £40,000 for a single organisation
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Maximum grant of £400,000 for a single organisation
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Up to £600,000 for partnerships or consortia
This structure is designed to encourage collaboration while remaining accessible to smaller community-led organisations.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible applicants must be Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations with a clear charitable or community purpose.
Eligible organisation types include:
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VCSE organisations
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Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
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Community Interest Companies (CICs) with a charitable or community focus
Organisations must be based in, or primarily serve, one or more of the following south-east London boroughs:
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Lewisham
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Lambeth
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Southwark
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Bromley
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Bexley
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Greenwich
Non-local organisations may apply only if they are formally partnering with an eligible south-east London–based organisation.
Partnership and Consortium Applications
JRNY Consulting strongly encourages applications from partnerships or consortia.
Preferred collaborations are those that are led by VCSE organisations and include one or more of the following partners:
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Community groups
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NHS or other health service providers
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Local authorities
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Academic or research institutions
Partnership working is intended to support co-design, shared decision-making, and integrated delivery across community and healthcare systems.
Core Principles and Values
All applicants must demonstrate alignment with the programme’s core principles.
Funded projects are expected to show clear commitment to:
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Anti-racism and addressing structural inequalities
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Trauma-informed approaches to maternal and neonatal care
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Centring the voices, experiences, and leadership of Black mothers and birthing people
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Co-design with communities rather than top-down service delivery
These principles should be embedded throughout project design, governance, delivery, and evaluation.
How the Programme Works
The programme supports initiatives aligned with 11 predefined solution areas that were developed through community-led research and engagement.
Funded organisations will:
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Co-design interventions with Black mothers, birthing people, and families
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Work collaboratively with healthcare staff and decision-makers
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Deliver practical, culturally appropriate solutions to improve care experiences and outcomes
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Collect learning and evidence to support long-term system change
Projects should demonstrate how they will translate community insight into real improvements in maternal and neonatal services.
How to Apply
To apply for this funding, organisations should follow these steps:
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Confirm eligibility based on organisation type and geographic focus
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Identify the relevant solution area(s) your project will address
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Develop a project proposal rooted in community-led design
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Secure partnership agreements if applying as a consortium
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Clearly outline budgets, timelines, and expected outcomes
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Demonstrate alignment with anti-racist and trauma-informed principles
Applications must clearly explain how Black mothers and birthing people will be meaningfully involved throughout the project lifecycle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should take care to avoid the following issues:
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Proposing projects without genuine community co-design
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Treating anti-racism as a statement rather than a practice
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Submitting unclear governance structures for partnerships
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Failing to demonstrate long-term impact beyond the funding period
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Overlooking the specific needs of south-east London communities
Strong applications are specific, locally grounded, and community-led.
Why This Funding Matters
Black mothers and birthing people continue to experience significant inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes.
This programme provides a rare opportunity to:
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Address systemic racism in maternity care
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Rebuild trust between communities and healthcare services
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Strengthen community-led solutions with sustainable funding
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Influence how maternal healthcare is designed and delivered
The funding supports change that is both immediate and structural.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total budget for the programme?
The total funding available is £1.5 million, distributed across multiple grants.
How long can projects run?
Projects can be funded for up to three years.
Can organisations outside south-east London apply?
Yes, but only if they partner with an eligible organisation based in or serving the specified boroughs.
Are partnerships required?
Partnerships are not mandatory, but they are strongly encouraged and can apply for higher funding amounts.
What types of activities can be funded?
Activities must align with the programme’s solution areas and focus on improving maternal and neonatal care for Black communities.
Is community involvement mandatory?
Yes. Projects must centre the voices and experiences of Black mothers and birthing people.
What values must applicants demonstrate?
Applicants must show clear commitment to anti-racism, trauma-informed practice, and equity in healthcare delivery.
Conclusion
The JRNY Consulting maternal and neonatal care grant programme represents a significant investment in community-led solutions for Black mothers and birthing people in south-east London. By funding collaborative, anti-racist, and trauma-informed initiatives, the programme aims to deliver lasting improvements in maternal healthcare, rebuild trust in services, and address long-standing racial inequalities in outcomes.
For more information, visit JRNY Consulting.
