This is a £1.5 million fund to engage older people aged 65 and over from ‘harder to reach’ groups to get involved in opportunities which use their skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to their communities. It is anticipated that 15-20 awards will be made of £40,000 - £80,000.
CR are looking for proposals which put older people at the centre of the work, designing and developing activities or opportunities which meet their needs, interests and priorities. For the activities to have positive benefits for the older people involved, they should:
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Provide meaningful roles with opportunities for social interaction and leadership.
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Ensure that older people are recognised and valued for their contribution.
The primary outcomes of the work should focus on the benefits to the older people, though the funders will also be interested in capturing the wider benefits to the community. Applications will need to meet at least one of the following outcomes:
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Older people improve their mental health and wellbeing.
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Older people increase the quality and quantity of their social connections.
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Older people develop an enhanced sense of purpose and empowerment.
CR are looking for creative, fresh approaches and are unlikely to fund standard lunch clubs, 1:1 befriending models or applications to run community transport schemes. They’re interested in organisations that already coordinate activities by and for older people that can demonstrate a need to engage with a ‘harder to reach’ group of older people. Or applicants could be an organisation that already works with disadvantaged older people that wants to bring a new twist or approach to their work.
Applications are encouraged from charities based in the community in which they are working. The focus of the applicant organisation must be in the local community, although it may choose to work with national or regional partners. Applications from partnerships are also welcome.
https://www.comicrelief.com/grants/initiatives/active-ageing-creating-change-communities