The Stay Connected Community Grant is open to third-sector not-for-profit organisations who:

• have an annual turnover of £100,000 or below
• have a bank account

Generally, we will not fund projects that have received funding from Public Health in the last 12 months.

Generally, this grant does not seek to fund pooled fund arrangements, and any project applying must ensure total project funding is sought within 3 months of the bid being successful. 

Due to the existing Educational Innovation Fund, schools are not eligible to apply.

Grants must be used to create new or expand existing community-based projects. For example, grants may be awarded to a dance group that would like to expand to encourage young carers to join, so they can meet up with friends or a new parent support group, to increase availability for single parents.

Applications must demonstrate how projects will:

• bring people together or support people to increase social connections
• engage with members of the local community and increase engagement (if an existing project)
• target those who are most at risk of loneliness and isolation
• help to reduce health inequalities

Applications will be assessed on how strongly the project demonstrates these outcomes.

• purchases prior to funding being confirmed
• activities that promote political beliefs or are designed to impose religious beliefs on others
• on-going organisation core costs e.g., staff
• activities where funding has already been secured
• payments to individuals
• privately owned businesses
• organisations with aims that do not match ours
• anything that discriminates against individuals or organisations
• anything that promotes any illegal or immoral purposes

Successful applicants must complete an evaluation after 3-6 months to show what the project did and the impact it had. Evaluations may be in the form of quantitative and/or qualitative feedback and can include videos, pictures, and quotes. 

A Community Story template will be provided to help successful applicants bring their story to life. With consent, the Public Health team will share your film online and/or on social media to inspire others.

Anyone can contact the team to discuss a project in advance of applying. Please contact:

• Jess Wade at JWade1@worcestershire.gov.uk
• HWBAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Applications should be made using the online application form. Which will be considered by a panel against the funding criteria. 

To request an alternative format please contact the Public Health Team at:

• HWBAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk

Panel review meetings take place every 6-8 weeks and the team aim to get back to applicants to confirm the outcome of their application within this timeframe.

There is currently no deadline and the applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Following successful application and signed grant agreement, funding will take a minimum of 2 weeks to be processed.