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. 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.
Area of benefit: North Cumbria
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. You can find and connect with your local centre by clicking here.
Successful projects are expected to maintain these relationships throughout the project lifecycle to strengthen community partnerships and maximise the impact of support for people affected by cancer.
Your Macmillan centre manager for Cumbria is Sharon Middlemore: Sharon.Middlemore@ncic.nhs.uk
Donor
Northern Cancer Alliance
The Northern Cancer Alliance Community Connectors Fund is delivered in partnership across the North East and North Cumbria with Point North Community Foundation
Who can apply?
Community groups and charitable, not-for-profit organisations working with:
• people currently living with cancer
• cancer survivors (living beyond cancer)
• carers, family, and friends affected by someone’s cancer experience
Examples of what the Fund will support
• peer support groups
• arts, crafts and creative projects
• counselling and wellbeing projects
• complementary therapies (Reiki, massage etc)
• 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.
How much can you apply for?
Grants of up to £1,000 will be considered.
Timeline
The closing date is 30th November 2026. Application outcomes will be given in early February 2027.
How to apply?
• All applications are now made through our online application portal
• Read our step‑by‑step portal help guide here
If you would like further information about this fund please contact:
Sarah Thompson on 01900 820821 or email sarah@cumbriafoundation.org