As lockdown begins to lift and life slowly returns to some form of ‘normality’, Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 (MHAW) couldn’t come at a more relevant time. Now is the time to stop, reflect, check in and take stock of ours, and our loved ones, mental health.
This year, the theme of the week is ‘nature’ thanks to the well documented positive impacts it can have on our mental health – read the Mental Health Foundation’s full explanation for their decision here. Nature and the great outdoors has been a saviour for many this past year with the RHS reporting a 533% increase in the number of 18 to 24 year olds visiting its website during peak lockdown. Gardening, in particular ‘grow your own’, has also seen a sharp rise in popularity with DIY chain, Homebase, reporting a 45% increase in fruit and vegetable plant sales compared to the previous summer*.
With the positive impacts of nature on our mental health well and truly in the spotlight (not to mention we are in the middle of a Climate Emergency), it’s no surprise funders have taken note. Just last month, Kent Community Foundation launched their new environmental strategy and Fund for the Environment which seeks to “embody the ‘think global, act local’ sentiment and facilitate dynamic change by supporting projects which enrich nature, connect people with green spaces and enable more sustainable and healthier ways of living in Kent and Medway.”
And they aren’t the only ones… As part of MHAW 2021, we’ve highlighted 20 trusts and foundations inviting applications that support charities/project working in mental health and/or encourage people to reap the wellbeing benefits of nature, the environment and the outdoors.
- Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally: Heart of the Community Awards
National grants scheme supporting projects that encourage people to spend time in the great outdoors.
Grant size: £5,000
Deadline: Monday 31 May 2021 - FCC Community Action Fund
National grants scheme supporting projects within a ten mile radius of their environmental waste sites (two within Kent – Isle of Sheppey and Maidstone) that offer the provision, maintenance, or improvement of public amenities such as parks, nature reserves, play areas, woodlands or sports grounds.
Grant size: up to £100,000
Deadline: Wednesday 2 June 2021, 5pm - D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
National grants scheme supporting projects that use gardening or other environmental activities to bring about positive changes in the lives of those who are living with disabilities or ill-health.
Grant size: typically up to £6,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme (next review meeting deadline Wednesday 16 June 2021) - The Woodward Charitable Trust
National grants scheme supporting mental health projects.
Grant size: up to £3,000 (typically £1,000)
Deadline: Friday 30 July 2021, 12 noon - Localgiving: Magic Little Stars
National grants scheme supporting projects that improve mental wellbeing, improve green spaces, respond to the climate emergency and increase community access to outdoor space.
Grant size: £500
Deadline: Saturday 31 October 2021 - The Tudor Trust
National grants scheme supporting projects that work directly with people who are on the edges of mainstream society in ways which encourage inclusion, integration, independence, wellbeing and quality of life.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified but typically over £10,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Tesco Community Grants
National grants scheme supporting mental health projects.
Grant size: up to £1,500
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Cameron Grant Memorial Trust
National grants scheme supporting mental health projects.
Grant size: up to £2,500
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Kent Community Foundation: Themed Funds – Vulnerable Adults
Kent and Medway grants scheme supporting projects that help vulnerable adults stay well and independent, with a focus on early intervention projects to tackle disadvantage, deprivation and social exclusion, includes mental health.
Grant size: up to £5,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Albert Hunt Trust
National grants scheme supporting projects that promote health and well being – areas of support under this heading have included physical and learning disability, physical and mental health.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Mrs Smith & Mount Trust: The Mount Fund
National grants scheme supporting mental health projects.
Grant size: up to £20,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Sanctuary’s Community Investment Fund
National grants scheme supporting mental health projects benefitting Sanctuary Housing residents.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Lloyd’s Bank Foundation
National grants scheme supporting mental health projects.
Grant size: two-year unrestricted grants of £50,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme throughout 2021 - Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust: Investing in Families
Kent and Medway grants scheme supporting mental health projects.
Grant size: up to £45,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Cobtree Charity Trust
Maidstone grants scheme supporting projects that maintain public parks and open spaces for the promotion of mental, moral and physical education and health.
Grant size: up to £5,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The February Foundation
National grants scheme supporting mental health and environmental projects.
Grant size: up to £5,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Swan Mountain Trust
National grants scheme supporting refugees and asylum seekers, with particular emphasis on the mental health of young people in these categories.
Grant size: typically between £2,000 and £4,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Henry Smith Charity: Strengthening Communities
National grants scheme supporting projects that encourage their community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing.
Grant size: between £20,000 and £60,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Alpkit Foundation
National grants programme supporting projects that tackle issues such as the community response to Covid-19, diversity and inclusion in the outdoors, participation, education, conservation and protection of our natural environment and health and wellbeing.
Grant size: up to £500
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Wolfson Foundation
National grants programme supporting projects that support charities working in mental health with capital projects with a particular focus on training, employment and supported housing. focus on training, employment and supported housing.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme – two funding rounds per year.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list but we hope this page offers links to potential sources of funding. All information is correct at the time of publishing. Please always refer to the funder’s website directly for latest guidelines and deadlines.
If you’re a Kent or Medway voluntary sector organisation looking to apply for funding from any of the above or elsewhere, but aren’t sure where to start, get in touch. We offer free, practical guidance and training in all aspects of fundraising including bid writing skills.
*Flower Power: Covid restrictions fuel boom in plant and bulb sales, The Guardian, 31 October 2020
