Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
The Waterloo Foundation is requesting applications for the Wales Funding Programme to support the local community.
Programme Types
- Unpaid Carers
- Carers provide a significant contribution to society, the economy and the health and social care sector. However, caring responsibilities can have an adverse impact on the physical and mental health, education and employment potential of those who care, which can result in significantly poorer health and quality of life outcomes. Continuing to struggle without adequate support can have a lasting impact on physical and mental health and the financial well-being of carers.
- They invite applications from organisations that:
- provide a range of carer-centred support services;
- demonstrate strong links with other projects, interventions, organisations and services to ensure a holistic family support approach;
- are outcomes-focused and can measure and evaluate changes to their beneficiaries’ circumstances using meaningful monitoring methods;
- ensure participation of service users in shaping their services;
- reach a substantial number of individuals;
- proactively identify and work with the most isolated and vulnerable carers, offering sufficient and meaningful support.
- Equity in Education
- The Waterloo Foundation believes that “our education today is our economy tomorrow,” emphasising the critical importance of affording every child the opportunity to reach their full potential during their school years. The commitment is rooted in recognising that Equity in education is vital, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have an equal chance to access quality education. This is especially critical in Wales, where the attainment gap between pupils from low-income households and their better-off peers persists and remains a significant challenge.
- In line with this commitment, they encourage funding applications to support children and young people aged 2-18. They firmly believe that promoting educational equality in the early years is just as paramount as school-age children, as it forms the bedrock of a child’s lifelong learning journey and profoundly influences their future prospects. By addressing educational inequalities from the outset, society can break the cycle of disadvantage, promote social mobility, and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive future.
- Focus:
- Help parents support the educational development of their children in the early years
- Empower young people to improve their educational outcomes (particularly in relation to achieving C grades in English and Mathematics)
- Help inspire an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
- Facilitate access to opportunities for children and young people from low-income households that help improve their educational experience and prospects
- Support young people’s emotional resilience, equipping them with the strength to navigate challenges, enhance mental health, and cultivate a positive mindset, ultimately promoting academic success and long-term well-being.
- Pathways out of Poverty
- Poverty in Wales remains a complex and pressing issue, casting a pervasive shadow over the lives of many individuals and families. Emerging from the global pandemic and navigating a challenging economic climate, the problem is exacerbated by factors such as poor-quality work, low incomes, inadequate housing, reduction in working-age benefits, debt and regional disparities. Beyond economic implications, the impact of poverty reverberates across health, education, and overall well-being, underscoring the intricate and far-reaching challenges faced by communities in Wales.
- Focus:
- Supporting people into permanent, paid employment
- Providing advice on welfare, benefits and debt
- Hyperlocal, grassroots organisations helping people who are living in poverty
- Improving support and services for asylum seekers and refugees
Funding Information
- Grants made under the Wales funding programmes typically range from £5k – £30k however they expect organisations to be fully transparent about funding gaps. Applicants’ requests should always be in keeping with their organisation’s annual income; they do not usually provide grants which total more than 25% of an organisation’s annual income.
Eligibility Criteria
- Unpaid Carers
- The Unpaid Carers funding programme is open to applications from organisations supporting unpaid carers, especially young carers and carers of people with the conditions prioritised in the Child Development research fund.
- Equity in Education
- They particularly welcome applications from Wales-based organisations already embedded in communities.
- Pathways out of Poverty
- They invite applications from organisations based in Wales that support significant numbers of people.
For more information, visit TWF.