Overview
Grants for charitable organisations to support people in communities who have been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly, by providing support or activities that help improve wellbeing and quality of life and encouraging people to live well during and after cancer, and with support extended to carers and family. Support will be community-based, helping people access the help and support they need close to home rather than through centralised or online services.
Priority will be given to groups:
• providing community-based support and activities in areas of high deprivation and/or rural communities.
• aiming to engage with underrepresented groups accessing cancer services e.g., carers, veterans, young people, travelling community, ethnic groups.
Context
Northern Cancer Alliance recognises that there is a gap in funding for grassroots community groups to provide local support for those living with and beyond cancer. Through the Community Connectors Fund they want to help build capacity within communities and improve access to health and wellbeing information for people affected by cancer including patients, carers, family, and friends.
There are 12 Macmillan and Cancer Information Centres based in hospitals throughout the North East and North Cumbria providing support and guidance to people living with and beyond cancer. Before you apply, you must contact your nearest Macmillan and Cancer Information Centre. This helps you find out about any extra support available, reach more people affected by cancer, and access useful cancer-related information to strengthen your project.
Your Macmillan centre manager for Cumbria is Tori Cotty: tori.cotty@ncic.nhs.uk
Donor
Northern Cancer Alliance
Who can apply?
• community groups and charitable, not-for-profit organisations
Examples of what the Fund will support
• wellbeing workshops such as relaxation, nutrition, gentle exercise
• information sessions about living with or beyond cancer
• social activities to reduce isolation
• volunteer-led befriending services
• community events to raise awareness of cancer support
• setting up a community-based support group or activity for anyone living with and beyond cancer including carers, family and friends
• sustain existing activity that supports cancer patients and their carers such as coffee mornings, drop-ins, etc.
What the Fund will not support in addition to our normal exclusions
• individuals, e.g., personal budgets or similar
• equipment costs, e.g., laptops or mobile phones
• provision of food (other than light refreshments)
• bereavement support groups
Additional information
Funding available for North Cumbria would support between 2-3 projects dependent on requested funding.
Funded organisations will be expected to:
• begin delivery by Monday 2nd February 2026
• consider how the project could be sustained after the funding ends
• provide a summary of delivery, e.g., number attending each session, number of people supported, and outcomes achieved
• contribute to further learning about effective community engagement in cancer support through this initial funding
• provide informal feedback on progress during January 2025 with basic statistics.
How much can you apply for?
Grants of up to £1,000 will be considered. For details of award amounts above this level, applicants MUST speak with Grants Officer Sarah Thompson before applying at Sarah@cumbriafoundation.org or 01900 820821.
Timeline
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis up until 8 September 2024. Applicants will be informed as decisions are made. If successful, funding should be spent within 6-9 months of approval.