Background to the fund
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that:
“High-quality social connections are essential to our mental and physical health and our well-being.”
“Social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with an estimated 1 in 4 older people experiencing social isolation.”
And that, “A large body of research shows that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. The effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.”
Purpose
The Healthy Ageing Fund provides support to community-based projects which improve social connectedness for older adults (40+) helping them to prepare for and enjoy better health in later life. The focus of projects should be to combat loneliness and social isolation and to promote a sense of purpose.
For example, by:
- Encouraging and supporting new opportunities for social interaction, including intergenerational opportunities
- Developing/supporting volunteering opportunities for older adults that aim to reduce social isolation and loneliness
- Attracting new participants through non-digital promotion and supporting them to attend through taster sessions or buddy schemes.
- Improving knowledge of and access to activities and sources of support available
Grants available: Up to £15,000 but we welcome applications from projects of all sizes and amounts up to this maximum.
Criteria:
Applications are invited from new projects, or projects expanding their reach to socially isolated adults, promoting social connectedness for older adults (aged 40+) in Buckinghamshire (excluding the Milton Keynes council area).
Social connectedness must be an intentional outcome of the project, rather than a positive side-effect of another activity and projects should be designed to engage participants on a longer term basis, rather than a one-off event.
We welcome ‘Test and Learn’ projects intended to explore creative and innovative new ways of engaging and supporting the target audience.
Applicants will need to demonstrate:
- how their outcomes will be monitored and evaluated.
- how they will engage with older adults who may be more isolated, for example by location, disability, ethnic group, etc
- if an expanding project, how you expect to expand your reach*
*This would typically be into a new geographic area, or a new community group. We will not fund projects simply looking to grow the number of participants.
Priority will be given to projects which:
- provide opportunities for different age groups to connect
- support key life transitions (for example, menopause, retirement, bereavement)
- are designed and delivered with the involvement of older adults.
- demonstrate collaboration with other providers.
Schedule / Timeframe
The deadline for applications is 27th June 2025
Funding decisions will be notified in August 2025 and so the project/funding start date you select must be no earlier than 1st September 2025.
The success rate for the last round of this funding programme was c25%. We are expecting a high level of demand for this round and the success rate will potentially be lower so please ensure your project is a close fit for the fund criteria before applying
We expect grants to be spent within 12 months.
Who can apply?:
Registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, Charitable Incorporated Organisations, Community Interest companies (limited by guarantee), Community Benefit Societies or other not for profit organisations which are based in or operate for the benefit of residents in the area administered by Buckinghamshire Council. This includes parish & town councils. The groups must be formally constituted and operate for public benefit.
What can we fund?
- Project costs associated with new, or the expansion of existing initiatives – (expansion of projects must be designed to reach new geographic areas or to engage with a new community).
- Core costs, where these are required to enable the delivery of the project outcomes.
- Capital expenditure – we would not expect capital costs to exceed 25% of the overall project cost. Please contact us to discuss further if you think you may need to exceed this.
What can’t we fund?
- Projects that are continuations of existing projects, or just designed to grow participation numbers at an existing project will not be considered for funding.
- Single events
- Activities promoting a particular religious or political belief
- Overseas travel
- Projects which have already started, are already completed or are continuation of existing projects.
- Individuals
- Statutory bodies – including schools, but excluding parish/town councils
- Profit-making organisations
- Organisations whose principal concern is animal welfare
- Activity which is a statutory responsibility of a public body
- Organisations who have shareholders (Community Benefit Societies are permitted)
