Grants of up to £1,000 will be available to charities and community groups organising Christmas events for people aged 65 and over. At least 30 grants will be awarded to support a variety of activities, including Christmas Day meals, group social events, and support for day care centres or community spaces operating over the festive period. Priority will be given to organisations connecting older people between the 24th December and the 2nd January, but events planned for earlier in December will also be considered. Organisations with an annual income under £250,000 will be eligible to apply. The funding is provided by the McCarthy Stone Foundation through their Christmas Connections Fund, which opens to applications on the 1st September 2024. Funding for Christmas Activities for Older People (UK)

About the fund

The fund is for anyone living in H&F who is struggling with a financial emergency or crisis and is to help residents meet vital day-to-day living expenses. Eligible residents can receive up to £300 to pay for essentials including food, gas, and electricity.

To be eligible, residents must:

• be in severe financial hardship and without H&F’s support could be at risk of being in crisis
• need immediate help and have no other source of financial support available to them
• have not received a crisis prevention payment from H&F in the last rolling 6 months.

When applying, residents will need to provide details of their emergency or crisis.

Who can apply

This scheme is open to anyone aged 18 years or older.

This scheme is also open to those 16 or older who are responsible for younger children or who have energy/water arrears.

Residents do not need to receive government benefits to apply but will need to show they don’t have other funds available. Residents can also apply if they have temporary immigration status.

To find out more about the payment scheme, including what the money can be used for, please visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/crisis-fund

Further support

If you or a resident is unsure whether they’re eligible, you can both speak to our Cost-of-Living team who will be able to assist and help them complete the form. The team can be contacted on costoflivingteam@lbhf.gov.uk or by free calling 0800 917 6994.

UK charities, Schools and Further Education Colleges as well as NHS Trusts seeking funding to support those under the age of 18 who are living with a mental health condition, disability or growing up in poverty can apply for funding through the Hargreaves Foundation. The Foundation aims to help children and young people to fulfill their potential and improve their wellbeing, self-esteem, and independence through educational and sporting activities. This could include initiatives that improve academic engagement and attainment, develop skills to aid future employment, improve life skills, and ensure sport is accessible. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount. Applications can be made at any time. Grants to Support Disadvantaged Young People through Educational & Sporting Activities (UK)

UK charities, voluntary organisations, and schools can apply for grants to help children and adults suffering from severe learning difficulties and autism. The funding is being made available through the Baily Thomas General grants programme and can be used to purchase equipment, support capital works as well and cover project and core costs. Previous grants have been used to support capital works for residential, nursing and respite care, and schools; employment schemes including woodwork, crafts, printing and horticulture; play schemes and play therapy schemes; day and social activities centres; support for families, including respite schemes; independent living schemes; support in the community schemes; and Snoezelen rooms. The next deadline for applications seeking funding over £9,000 is the 1st December 2024. Applications for £9,000 and below can be submitted at any time. Funding for Projects that Address Severe Learning Disabilities (UK)

Grants of up to £6,000 are available to registered charities working to improve the wellbeing, welfare and education of children and adults in communities throughout the UK. The funding, made available by the Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation, will support initiatives that benefit communities by reducing poverty and homelessness, improving access to education, and enhancing the well-being of the elderly. This includes combating isolation, managing Dementia and Alzheimer’s, and providing later life/palliative care. Applications should be made by the 31st October 2024 for the next trustees meeting in December. Grants to Improve the Lives of Disadvantaged People (UK)