This fund is currently closed
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”.
About the fund
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
- 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.
Eligibility and applications
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.
Your project
Applications are invited from new or expanding projects 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.
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
Priority will be given to projects which:
- Are designed and delivered with the involvement of older adults.
- Demonstrate collaboration with other providers
The deadline for applications is 9th July 2026.
Funding decisions will be notified in late August 2026 and so the project/funding start date you select must be no earlier than 1st September 2026.
Projects should normally start no later than 6 weeks after the grant is awarded and should be completed within 12 months of the start date.
Project costs associated with new, or the enhancement of existing initiatives – (enhancement projects should be designed to reach new geographic areas or to engage with a new community rather than simply growing the size of an existing group).
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.
- 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, or activity which is a statutory responsibility of a public body
- Profit-making organisations
- Organisations whose principal concern is animal welfare
