Between 14-18 June, the Marmalade Trust are hosting Loneliness Awareness Week 2021 in the hope to raise awareness of loneliness, break down stigmas and get people talking about it.
Across Kent and Medway there are many brilliant organisations running programmes that seek to create an understanding of loneliness, support those experiencing it and promote that it’s okay, and completely normal, to feel this way – especially after the 15 months we’ve just had!
If you run such a project or are looking to start one, here’s our guide to just some of the grants available to you:
- DCMS & The National Lottery Community Fund: Local Connections Fund
National grants scheme supporting small, local organisations (annual income under £50,000) who bring people and communities together in particular helping organisations who work to reduce loneliness restart their activities.
Grant size: £2,500
Opens: Monday 28 June 2021 - Kent Community Foundation: Themed Funds – Elderly & Isolated
Kent and Medway grants scheme supporting local projects that address the challenges faced by elderly adults and support people to stay well, healthy and independent and, most importantly, combat social isolation.
Grant size: up to £5,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Barchester Healthcare Foundation
National grants scheme supporting small, local groups and charities working with older people and other adults with a disability or mental health problems in their community.
Grant size: up to £5,000
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Philip and Connie Phillips Foundation
Kent and Medway grants scheme supporting organisations working to 1. support elderly people who are isolated and vulnerable and 2. are working to combat the effects of poverty and deprivation, such as food poverty and homelessness.
Grant size: up to £10,000
Deadline: Monday 21 June 2021 - Shanly Foundation
South east grants scheme supporting organisation based within the Edenbridge area of Kent with projects that are helping to improve the welfare and quality of life of those that are disadvantaged within the community.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - Tesco Community Grants
National grants scheme supporting local projects that make a positive difference within their community, in particular helping children and families.
Grant size: up to £1,500
Deadline: Continuous rolling programme - The Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Force for Change
National grants scheme supporting community projects that reduce isolation and promote integration; supporting post-Covid recovery in local Armed Forces communities affected by isolation.
Grant size: up to £10,000
Deadline: 2 August 2021, 12 noon and 12 November 2021, 12 noon - Global’s Make Some Noise
National grants scheme supporting small, local charities helping vulnerable elderly people who live alone and have very few people to talk to.
Grant size: up to £30,000 or 40% of annual income
Deadline: currently closed. Join Mailing List for details of the 2022 round. - The Tudor Trust
National grants scheme supporting smaller, community-led organisations that work directly with people who are at the margins of society: organisations that support positive changes in people’s lives and in their communities.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified
Deadline: continuous rolling programme - Sanctuary’s Community Investment Fund
National grants scheme supporting community initiatives which provide vital support for Sanctuary residents experiencing, but not limited to, challenges associated with: job loss, mental health, money management, health and wellbeing and social isolation.
Grant size: no maximum amount specified
Deadline: continuous rolling programme
For the latest grants schemes, see our Find Funds Health & Social Care fund category.
Further reading and support services
- Marmalade Trust – Guide to Loneliness
- The Jo Cox Foundation – Loneliness Directory
- NHS Let’s Talk Loneliness advice and support
- Kent County Council – Befriending services in Kent directory
- MHA Communities Kent – tackling loneliness and isolation in people over 55 through befriending, lunch clubs, assisted shopping, activity and friendship sessions, outings, escorts to appointments and much more.
- UK Parliament: House of Commons Library – Tackling Loneliness report (published 14 June 2021)
- Department for Digital, Media, Culture & Sport – Emerging Together: The Tackling Loneliness Network Action Plan policy paper (published 8 May 2021)
