Neighbourhood Community Fund
The aim of the fund is to support grassroots projects and activities which will deliver tangible impacts to the health and wellbeing of local people within the organisation’s neighbourhood and community, the project/activity must be delivered by the end of December 2026.
We invite groups and organisations to apply for one of ten awards of up to £500. Our aim is to keep the process simple and easy, so that we can make decisions swiftly and get the funds out and making a difference to local people as soon as possible.
All applications will be judged on their own merits, specifically in relation to how they can demonstrate that they will improve local people’s health and wellbeing, we would particularly welcome expressions of interest from groups and organisations who will deliver projects which will reach out to marginalised groups or those who experience health inequalities.
We would expect recipients to provide a simple report in December 2026 or January 2027, about their project or activity, to include:
- Tangible and demonstrable evidence of how the project or activity has helped to improve local people’s health and wellbeing.
For example: a walking group which decreases feelings of social isolation for its members and improves physical fitness; a chair-based exercise class for men who have diabetes, with social time included to encourage peer support as well as promoting health and fitness. - The final update/report could include simple case studies, testimonials and quotes from participants, photographs or videos of the activities etc, which we could use in our reports, community work and communications.
The project or activity doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, but it does have to make a difference!
This funding pot could - cover the cost of setting up a one off or series of small local events within an existing group; fund the creation of a new group so that people can meet to build stronger social connections; fund resources such as hi-vis jackets or lanyards for a dementia friendly walking group; cover the cost of venue hire for an accessible dance group or exercise class ….
No matter what your group is, if you are part of a community in West Sussex, we are keen to hear from you.
Timeline
Applications are open NOW! We will accept applications and expressions of interest, as outlined above, until WEDNESDAY 15 JULY.
We will review applications in July and will inform all successful groups by 10 August.
Please send your brief project outline to us asap, including the following info:
- A brief outline of the project/activity – including how the work aims to improve the health and wellbeing of local people
- Who will benefit from this work
- How you will assess if your project/activity has had an impact
- How much funding you would need (up to £500) and how you would spend the money
Please send this to jo.tuck@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk
Applications received after 5pm on Weds 15 July will not be considered.
