Funding & Training Focus - 04 March

Hello everyone,

We've had some changeable weather this week for sure! It’s a bit wild and windy out there (at the time of typing!), with the rain doing its usual sideways thing… but the sun is peeking through now and again. Very on brand for Renfrewshire.

The funding landscape feels a little like that too this week. There are some brilliant opportunities breaking through, from support for disadvantaged young people and families, to climate action, music, community energy and even a few fruit trees for good measure. Whether you are a small local group or a larger organisation planning your next project, I hope there is something in here for you.

As always, if you want to chat though any of the opportunities below, just get in touch: mwollberg@engagerenfrewshire.com

SURE Fund

Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, in collaboration with Engage Renfrewshire, is delighted to launch a brand new community grants initiative – the SURE Fund.

The SURE Fund will provide a number of small grants (up to a max £20,000 per award) to support community-led activity that reduces alcohol and drug related harm, supports recovery and wellbeing, and builds stronger, more connected communities.

We’re particularly interested in projects that create positive opportunities for people to build skills, try something new, volunteer or connect with others, and those that engage young people in innovative ways to challenge stigma and open up conversations about alcohol and drugs.

Above all, we want to fund activity that reduces harm, supports recovery and wellbeing, values lived and living experience, and helps build stronger, safer and more connected communities over the longer term.

Note of Interest

Funding to Increase the Use of Gaelic
Public authorities in Scotland can apply for a share of £200,000 to support the implementation of their Gaelic Language Plans. Grants of up to £20,000 are available through the Projects Stream of the Gaelic Plans Fund, which aims to increase the use of Gaelic, particularly among young people, expand opportunities to learn the language, and promote a positive image of Gaelic. Funding will cover up to 80% of project costs for up to three projects delivered between August 2026 and September 2027. This stream is open to organisations not funded under the Strategic Stream, and joint applications are welcome. The fund is delivered by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which will accept applications until 3pm on 30 April 2026.

Creative Scotland - Adapted Cultural & Creative Buildings Fund
Funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the programme, to be managed by public sector infrastructure body, the Scottish Futures Trust, will provide grants of up to £80,000 per project that address identified climate-related risks. The aim is to award funding to 8-10 projects and ensure cultural and creative assets across Scotland remain usable, resilient and fit for purpose as climate conditions continue to change.

Funding to Boost Community and Individual Music-Making
Funding is now available to support projects that increase participation in music within disadvantaged and marginalised communities. The funding is available to individuals, community groups and schools through the Music for All Awards programme delivered by Music for All. Grants can support the purchase of instruments and equipment including electro-acoustic guitars, Pbuzz instruments, ukuleles, keyboard bundles, drum kits and Orange Crush Mini amps. UK-based charities, community music groups, schools and educational bodies are eligible to apply, with awards typically ranging from £800 for individual development to several thousand pounds for wider community and youth music projects. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 11 May 2026.
 
Funding Support for Museum-Based Health and Wellbeing Projects
Grants of up to £75,000 are available to support innovative health and wellbeing programmes delivered by UK museums. Funding may support mental health initiatives, projects addressing loneliness or physical health, creative engagement activities, partnerships with health and community organisations, and staff training. Eligible applicants are UK museums with a demonstrable track record and strategic commitment to health and wellbeing. The funding is being made available through the Museums Association’s Health and Wellbeing in Museums Fund. Around 10 grants will be awarded and the closing date for applications is 20 May 2026.

Funding to Support Local Good Causes
Funding platform Easyfundraising has launched a new fund to support not-for-profit organisations across the UK. The Impact Fund offers twenty unrestricted grants of £500 to help organisations continue or improve their services. The funding can be used where it’s needed most, including equipment, resources, volunteer costs, event expenses, small projects, or essential running costs. The fund is open to organisations including charities, not-for-profits, schools and education settings, sports clubs, CICs and social enterprises, youth groups, and faith organisations. The funding comes from Easyfundraising’s partnerships with retailers, who donate a percentage of online purchases to support good causes. The deadline for applications is the 5th April 2026.

Ministry of Defence - Armed Forces Day
Funding is available to assist with Armed Forces Day festivities. It could be an event for your local community to a get-together with family and friends such as a picnic in the park, themed bbq, street party or fête. Maximum: £10,000. The deadline is 31 March 2026.

Grants to Support Community Spaces Fund
Revenue grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 per year for up to three years are available to registered charities in Scotland to support local community centres, hubs, or anchor organisations that deliver and/or host a variety of services and activities in rural and urban areas experiencing higher rates of poverty and trauma. The funding which supports revenue expenditure such as staffing costs, operating costs and activity costs is made available through the Robertson Trust’s Community Spaces Fund and is available to registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000. Registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £500,000 are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Grants of up to £2,500 to Support Intergenerational Projects
UK-registered charities and educational institutions can apply for grants of between £500 and £2,500 for intergenerational projects that bring people of different generations together to promote greater understanding and respect between generations, enhance opportunities for learning and wellbeing, and help build more cohesive communities. Offered through the Woodroffe Benton Foundation’s Small Grants Programme, the funding is open to organisations with at least two years of operational history, an annual income below approximately £750,000, and a full set of financial accounts. Applications will be reviewed at the trustees’ meeting on 15 October 2025, with successful applicants notified within two weeks. The deadline is 31 August 2025 or sooner if 150 applications are received.

Scotmid Coop - Community Orchard
Community Orchard initiative supports close to 200 communities throughout Scotland and northern England. Local groups are eligible to apply for up to £200 to plant fruit trees and shrubs near Scotmid stores—promoting physical activity, enhancing green spaces, and fostering community connections.
These orchards provide chances for volunteering, education, wildlife habitats, and fresh fruit. Hundreds of trees have already been planted, and participants can join Scotmid's Facebook community to exchange advice and experiences. Maximum: £200. Apply at any time. No stated deadlines.
 
£1 Billion Investment for Community Clean Energy Schemes
The UK government and Great British Energy have announced a £1 billion investment to support community-owned renewable energy projects as part of a new Local Power Plan. The funding will help communities develop and manage their own clean energy schemes, such as installing solar panels on local buildings including libraries, leisure centres, social clubs and places of worship. Funding will be provided through grants, loans and capacity-building support to help organisations at every stage — from early feasibility studies to construction and long-term management. Led by communities and local authorities, the programme aims to support around 1,000 locally owned projects by 2030, helping to reduce energy bills and generate income for typically underserved communities. Further details are expected later in 2026.

Funding to Improve the Health & Wellbeing of Unpaid Carers
Voluntary, community, and public sector organisations in Scotland can now apply for grants for projects that reduce health inequalities experienced by unpaid carers. This could involve changing how carers access health services, collaborating with different organisations and sectors, or making sustained changes in how unpaid care is valued and discussed. The funding is being made available through the National Lottery Community Fund's Supporting Change – Carers programme. Grants of between £500,000 and £2 million will be awarded to support approximately 4 to 5 projects over 5 to 10 years. Up to £50,000 in development funding is also available. Projects must involve people with lived experience of unpaid care. Partnerships and collaborations can also apply. The closing date for applications is 15 July 2026.

Funding for Community Health & Wellbeing Projects
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Laughology is giving away £20,000 through its Happiness Fund in 2026. The fund supports neighbourhood-based community projects that help build happy, strong, and resilient communities across the UK. Funding is available to small not-for-profit organisations to set up new groups or activities that improve mental health and wellbeing, promote inclusion, and support learning and skills development in local communities. Applicants must demonstrate how their project will become financially sustainable in the long term, either by continuing independently or by securing funding from other sources. The programme will run over two funding cycles. Each cycle will award two grants of £5,000. The deadline for applications is the 27th March 2026.

Local Partnerships provide small grants and funding for local activities and projects that help to meet local priorities. Awards of up to £5,000 are available for voluntary and community organisations.
There are 7 Local Partnerships, which mirror the Community Council boundaries in Renfrewshire. These are:

• Paisley North, West and Central
• Paisley East
• Gleniffer
• Renfrew
• Johnstone and Linwood
• Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank
• The Villages.

Each Local Partnership has its own priorities. 
Closing date for applications: Sunday 15 March 2026

Find out more

Quilter Foundation - Financial Futures Fund
The Financial Futures Strategic Grants are designed to support substantial, transformative programmes that significantly enhance people’s financial capability and self-assurance, particularly at pivotal stages in their lives. These moments might include entering the workforce for the first time, navigating the complexities of financial hardship, or taking steps to prepare for retirement. The ambition is to empower individuals to make informed and confident decisions about their finances, breaking down barriers that can keep them in cycles of struggle or uncertainty.
Up to £1,000,000 total over five years (multi‑year, annual tranches). They can fund core costs and unrestricted elements where this strengthens outcomes. Grants must be less than 10% of annual turnover. Next deadline: 23 Mar 2026

Funding for Respite Breaks for Disabled Children and their Families
Families and groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply to the Adamson Trust for financial assistance towards the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children with physical, mental, or emotional impairments. To be eligible, the child must be a UK resident aged 3 to 17, and the Trust requires evidence of their disability or illness from a medical or social services professional. Grants from the Trust usually only cover a portion of the holiday expenses. The next application closing date is 31 March 2026

Funding for Charities Supporting Children with Language and Hearing Difficulties
Funding is available to small UK-registered charities that support children with speech, language, or hearing difficulties. The Speech, Language and Hearing Foundation provides grants for education, therapy, and research that improve the lives of children facing communication challenges or complex developmental needs. Previous grants have funded part-time speech and language therapists in disadvantaged schools, postgraduate study in educational audiology, improvements to classroom acoustics, research into childhood deafness, and laptops to support speech and language therapy services. While no grant amount is specified, recent awards have ranged from £500 to £15,000. Applications can be made at any time.

Veterans Foundation Major Grants Programme Re-opens for Applications
The Veterans’ Foundation has confirmed that its Major Grants Programme will re-open on 2 March 2026 and close on 20 April 2026. Registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations with appropriate governance arrangements may apply for grants typically ranging from £100,000 to £200,000 for projects delivered over one to three years. Funding supports activities that provide direct benefit to serving and former members of the UK armed forces, operationally qualified seafarers and their immediate families, including mental health and wellbeing services, housing and homelessness prevention, employability and training programmes, welfare advice and community integration initiatives. Applicants must complete an online eligibility check before submitting a full application.

The Rozelle Trust
The trust has been established to support a wide range of charitable activities - main priorities are children and young people, people living in poverty and people with disabilities. The trust will generally support smaller charities, especially those working at grass roots and local community level where the funds will be able to make a significant difference. Large national charities are unlikely to be considered.
The Trust aims to help charities whose activities are primarily based in Scotland, or overseas in developing countries. Priority is given to projects that support the very poorest in their community.
The Trust is keen to work with organisations who can demonstrate that the funds are making a real difference. It is important to the Trust that the funded organisations can demonstrate sound business sense in their activities, ie focused use of funds without unnecessary overheads.

Funding to Support Disadvantaged Young People and Offenders
UK charities and charitable incorporated organisations are invited to apply for grants to support initiatives that help young offenders, ex-offenders, and other disadvantaged young people secure pathways to meaningful employment and community engagement. In some cases, applications from community interest companies (CICs) may also be considered. The programme offers two funding streams: small grants of up to £5,000 and main grants with no formal upper limit, although typical awards are generally between £10,000 and £15,000. The funding is being made available through the Worshipful Company of Weavers Charitable Grants Programme. The next application deadline is 12 March 2026.

Up to £15,000 Available for Water-Based Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Children
Non-profit organisations, including schools and registered charities, can apply for grants up to £15,000 to support water-based projects for disadvantaged children under 18. These initiatives aim to enhance physical and mental well-being by providing access to aquatic environments and addressing concerns that over a million pupils may leave school unable to swim 25 metres unaided. The grant, offered by the Children's Alliance, seeks to fund grassroots projects such as swimming lessons, hydrotherapy sessions, provision of swim wear and surf therapy, etc. Applications can be made twice per year in September and March.

Schroder Charity Trust To Re-open for Applications
The Schroder Charity Trust has announced that its grants programme will reopen for applications from 1 March to 30 April 202. The programme is open to UK-registered charities with annual incomes between £150,000 and £1,000,000 whose work supports children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed in education and employment, or strengthens communities by improving wellbeing and life outcomes for vulnerable groups. Funding of up to £5,000 is available, typically as a one-year grant, and may be used for core organisational costs or specific project costs. Previous awards have supported literacy initiatives, youth employability projects, community wellbeing services, and activities addressing social isolation. Decisions are normally issued within four months of the closing date.

Funding to Improve Young People’s Lives Through Music & the Creative Arts
Funding is available for organisations that use music-focused activities to improve the lives of young people aged 16 and above across the UK. Since its inception in 1989, the Brit Trust has distributed over £28 million to various organisations, primarily through funds raised at the BRIT Awards and the Music Industry Trusts Award events. This funding supports music and arts initiatives that promote education, wellbeing, and community engagement, helping individuals realise their full potential, regardless of ability, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. Applications are open to registered charities until the 30th April 2026.
 
Funding to Support Challenged & Vulnerable Young People
Funding is available for charitable organisations supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people under 18 in the UK. The 7stars Foundation’s Social Impact Grants Programme offers two-year unrestricted grants of £10,000 (£5,000 per year) for projects addressing issues affecting young people such as abuse, addiction, and barriers to diversity and inclusion. In this funding round, one grant will be awarded to a charity delivering LGBTQ+ inclusion and support initiatives. Registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £1.5 million are eligible to apply. Applications close on 12 April 2026.

LGBT+ Awareness Training with Renfrewshire HSCP Health Improvement
31 March 2026 at 10:00am

This session will take place online via Microsoft Teams.

Third Sector staff are invited to join this short online session, which will aim to give participants a basic introduction to LGBT+ awareness and a greater level of confidence when interacting with or supporting LGBT+ people. It will equip you with the tools and knowledge to create a more supportive and equitable environment for everyone. 

https://link.webropolsurveys.com/EP/ECCA489657037329

Places are limited so please sign up early to avoid disappointment.



Talk Cancer Workshops with Cancer Research UK and NHS GGC Public Health Screening team

What is Talk Cancer?
It’s a workshop designed for anyone who is in a position to promote health and wellbeing. If you are having conversations with people and are able to share health messages this workshop is for you.

Talk Cancer training will help you:

• talk to people about reducing their risk of getting cancer
• understand the key messages around cancer awareness
• understand the importance of spotting cancer early and the screening programmes available
• address the fears and barriers faced by people when talking about cancer
• understand how health inequalities have an impact on cancer outcomes
• have effective, supportive conversations about cancer and health
• encourage people to take action for their health, use local services and see their GP with concerns.

This half-day, face-to-face session is available to book now for:

Wednesday 18 March 09:30-12:45 at Active Communities, Station Seven, 7 Quarry Street, Johnstone, PA5 8DY. Sign up here

OR

Thursday 19 March 09:30-12:45 at Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre, 64 Balmoral Street, Glasgow G14 0BL. Sign up here

For more information e-mail ggc.phsu.admin@nhs.scot