Deadline: 3-Sep-21
The Leeds Community Foundation (LCF) is seeking applications for its Stay Well this Winter Grants to support a range of community-based projects in Leeds.
Applicants should target vulnerable people who are most at risk of becoming unwell over winter, due to cold and severe weather. They are keen to build on the dedication and innovation shown by the third sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. Projects should take place during the winter of 2021-22 and should consider an approach that can adapt to changeable Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions.
Priorities
Priority will be given to projects working with people who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable (“shielded” people) and/or experience multiple vulnerabilities or disadvantage which includes (but is not limited to):
- young children (from new-born to school age)
- pregnant women
- people with long-term medical conditions (including heart and lung conditions)
- people with enduring mental health problems
- people with disabilities (physical or learning)
- people who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19
- frail or older people
- Low-income families (household income under £21K per annum)
Funding Information
- Grants can be £500 to £2,500 for local and city-wide projects. For exceptional, innovative city-wide proposals for which a clear, needs-based rationale is provided, the Panel will consider applications of up to £5,000.
Types of activities that can be funded
This programme will support organisations to introduce a new project, or to expand or add value to an existing one. Here are some examples of the type of projects that they may fund:
- Practical hands-on support for vulnerable residents who are isolated due to severe weather or illness e.g. doorstep delivery of food, (volunteer) transport, handypersons, shopping, collecting prescriptions, or simply a knock on the door to check on them
- Digital inclusion, support and training to increase people’s motivation and confidence on-line
- Mentoring or befriending roles to help increase vulnerable people’s resilience to prepare for, and cope with cold or adverse weather – delivered via telephone and digital support or face-to-face (in line with government restrictions)
- Schemes that aim to increase influenza or Covid-19 vaccinations/testing, or Vitamin D uptake
- Games, crafts, culture or other activity to increase social connection and engage people with services, this can be indoor (in line with government restrictions) as well as outdoor or online
- Outreach for homeless people or rough sleepers with support to access mainstream services
- Proactive initiatives to engage “new” people that may not have had access to information before beyond existing members of groups or clubs
Eligibility Criteria
Community groups, charities, social enterprises or other charitable organisations from the third sector that:
- Have a constitution or other relevant governance document
- Have a management committee/board of directors/trustees of at least three unrelated people, none of whom have significant control
- Have a bank account under the name of the group with at least two unrelated signatories (if your organisation doesn’t have its own bank account, but does meet all of the other criteria, please contact them to discuss how they can work around this)
- Are based in or supporting people living in the Leeds Metropolitan District Area. If you are based outside the area, you will have to demonstrate links and/or a local track record
- Unincorporated groups can only apply if their annual income is less than £10,000, and if securing the grant does not take them above this threshold for the year
For more information, visit https://www.leedscf.org.uk/grants/stay-well-this-winter-grants/