Deadline: 2 October 2025
The Parkinson is requesting applications for its Physical Activity Grants Programme to support physical activity projects for people with Parkinson’s all over the UK.
Priorities
- Help people with Parkinson’s become and stay active, or
- Help people with Parkinson’s who are already active to significantly increase their levels of physical activity.
Focus Areas
- Newly diagnosed
- Young onset
- People and groups seen as ‘under represented’ including socially isolated, ethnic communities or those that are not digitally connected
- People who are not engaged with Parkinson’s UK
- People who are inactive, or active at low levels
- People who are still working
Funding Information
- In 2025 applications can be made for a minimum of £500 up to a maximum of £3,000.
Eligible Costs
- New physical activity provision for people with Parkinson’s.
- New physical activity that significantly increase the level of physical activity of people with Parkinson’s who are currently active.
- Buying equipment that will facilitate or enhance activities (for example, people want to try indoor curling so the award will fund the purchase of equipment -this is classed as capital costs and you can only apply for up to £750).
- Essential maintenance or replacement of equipment that will lead to greater participation or increased impact (for example, an indoor archery set is too old to be used properly, so the award would pay for the kit to be refurbished or replaced. This is classed as capital costs and you can only apply for up to £750).
- Facility hire (for example, as part of your bid you may need to hire gym space or a studio).
- Coaching fees (for example, you may need to pay for a trainer to deliver the activity you wish to set up).
- Specific training (for example, a volunteer gaining a coaching qualification to enable sustained delivery).
- Developing community activities that demonstrate a pathway into sustained activity (for example, you may wish to work with an organisation to enable their activity to be accessible for people with Parkinson’s).
- Helping people to access Parkinson’s specific online support to become more active (for example, an organisation offering to help people become active at home in a structured and safe way).
- Capital costs of up to £750.
- Core costs of up to 10% of your total budget request.
Ineligible Costs
- Costs for existing activities that do not show expansion or enhancement (applications must show how they will help more people to be active – not just to fund an existing class or activity with no plan on how to attract or support new participants)
- Increasing the payment to an existing provider without a significant increase in quality or frequency of provision
- Relevant Insurances
- Purchasing any items that are not directly involved with project delivery
- Individual activity providers or personal trainers delivering one to one training or physical activity
- Applications from individuals to participate in activity (for example, paying for a gym membership)
- Qualifications for activity providers/instructors
- Transport costs (including travel costs) for activity providers/instructors and participants
- Refreshments
- Competition entry fees
- Trophies, medals, prizes
- Accommodation
- Overseas transport
- Feasibility studies or research
- IT or technology not directly used in sport or physical activity
- Costs associated with supporting elite athletes
- Retrospective projects or activities
Expected Outcomes
- People with Parkinson’s become and stay active, or significantly increase their levels of activity if they are already active.
- More physical activity provision for everyone with Parkinson’s across the UK.
- Improved social wellbeing in people with Parkinson’s as a result of attending the project.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must:
- Be based in the UK
- Have a business or community bank account as funds cannot be transferred into a personal account
- Where applicable, provide evidence of your articles of association and constitution or other relevant governing documents (this doesn’t apply to organisations that are set up for profit)
- Consult with their local Parkinson’s UK Area Development Manager. Please ensure that you contact the relevant local staff of the area you propose to deliver in. They can provide you with local insight and support you with evidencing the local need for your project.
- Ensure that all relevant qualifications are held and insurance is in place prior to the delivery of the project.
- For Projects:
- Projects must run for a minimum of 12 weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks and must start within 12 weeks of receiving the grant.
- Providers who have already received a Physical Activity Grant in 2023 or 2024 are welcome to re-apply, but they must meet the following conditions:
- The project must be a new or expanded project. A duplication of your 2023 or 2024 project or application will not be accepted.
- The End of Project Report for your 2023 or 2024 grant must be submitted and signed off by their grants team prior to making an application.
- Funds from the 2023 or 2024 grant must be spent in full.
- All match funding must already be secured before applying for this grant.
- Applicants must demonstrate the need for their project by consulting with their intended participants and local contacts, and evidencing the need of their project.
- They have a responsibility to exercise due diligence when grant making, so they adhere to their governance framework at various stages of the grant process. Applicants who don’t meet the governance requirements will be deemed ineligible for this funding.
- Parkinson’s UK is an accredited Living Wage employer. This means they encourage organisations that employ staff to become an accredited Living Wage Employer.
For more information, visit Parkinson’s UK.