Neighbourhood Fund

The Neighbourhood Fund supports grassroots community groups delivering services and activities that address a broad range of local social issues, problems, poverty and disadvantage. Grants help local groups to improve the lives of those most in need of support. The fund prioritises smaller community groups with annual expenditure under £250,000. In the last round, 62% of applicants were successful and the average grant was £3,800. Priority may be given to groups that work in partnership with other providers, involve service users in the design of services, and where the service/activities are easy to access with clear referral routes. The fund has two particular areas of interest: services that support older people to lead more active, healthy and independent lives (addressing social isolation and loneliness, declining health, poor access to services and support for carers), and services that support people experiencing mental health issues, including those with diagnosed conditions and early intervention work (addressing low self-esteem and personal aspirations, relationship difficulties, unhealthy coping behaviours and other issues). Applications do not need to be for new services. The fund can support the continuation of existing services that are delivering evidenced outcomes, the expansion or adaption of these services in line with local needs or increased demand, piloting new ways of working or launch of new services.