Royal Borough of Greenwich

Welcome to the VCFS Grant Programme 2027-2031 - Strength in People - Themed Grants

This is our four year themed grant programme focused on key Council Priorities. Funding is available under the following themes: • Befriending and Social Connection for Vulnerable Adults • Carers (life course approach) • Community Centres – with a focus on social connection and health and wellbeing • Creative Health and Socially Engaged Arts and Culture • Homelessness and supporting people at risk of rough sleeping • Information, Guidance, Advice and Specialist Support • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Learning Disabilities and Autism (life course approach) • Volunteering Infrastructure • Volunteering opportunities for families known to Children’s Social Care

Available funding opportunities

Choose a fund below to start your application.

Information, Guidance, Advice and Specialist Support

There are 3 funding levels you can apply for under this theme: • Information and guidance only (level 1) - the maximum threshold for a single application is £65K • Generalist advice (level 2) - the maximum threshold for a single application is £100K • Specialist advice (level 3) - the maximum threshold for a single application is £225K Purpose Access to timely information, guidance, advice and specialist support plays a vital role in helping residents understand their rights, access services, maintain independence and improve their wellbeing. Across the borough, voluntary and community sector organisations provide a range of support at different levels, from information and guidance for specific communities through to more specialist advice and casework. These services are often trusted by communities that may face barriers to accessing mainstream services and provide valuable expertise in supporting residents with particular needs and protected characteristics. The purpose of this funding is to support a coordinated boroughwide system of information, guidance, advice and specialist support that ensures residents can access the right help at the right time, whilst strengthening collaboration across providers. We recognise that residents' needs are often complex and do not sit neatly within a single service. Many residents require support across multiple areas of their lives and may benefit from being supported by different organisations at different points in their journey. We are therefore seeking applications that demonstrate how organisations will work together as part of a wider borough-wide network, with clear referral pathways, joint working arrangements and shared approaches to supporting residents. Funding may support provision across different levels of support, including: • Information and Guidance (level 1): Providing residents with accessible information, guidance, signposting and support to access services, opportunities and resources. This is likely to include support for specific communities or vulnerable residents. • Generalist Advice (level2): Providing advice that helps residents understand their options and next steps in resolving a problem or issue. This may include support with form filling, practical assistance and helping residents navigate complex systems, whilst maintaining a focus on early intervention and prevention. • Specialist Advice and Casework (level 3): Providing specialist support, advocacy and casework where residents have more complex needs or problems requiring detailed intervention. This may include specialist advice relating to areas such as welfare benefits, housing, debt, immigration or other areas of expertise. Organisations do not need to provide every level of support themselves but should demonstrate how they contribute to an integrated borough-wide offer and how residents will be supported to access specialist assistance where required. Partnership Expectation As part of this funding priority, organisations will be expected to participate in boroughwide partnership arrangements to strengthen coordination across the information and advice system. This should include: • Active participation in relevant information and advice networks and forums. • Development and maintenance of clear referral pathways between providers. • Joint problem-solving where residents have multiple or complex needs. • Sharing knowledge and intelligence on emerging trends and resident needs. • Promoting awareness of the wider information and advice offer available within the borough. • Working together to ensure residents can move seamlessly between different levels of support as their needs change. • We would particularly welcome bids from groups of providers working together, either with a partnership agreement in place, as a formal consortium, a lead and sub grant model or some other suitable arrangement. This funding is intended to support a connected and collaborative system where specialist expertise is retained, community trust and local knowledge are valued, and residents experience a more joined-up journey through information, guidance, advice and specialist support services.

Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Learning Disabilities and Autism (life course approach)

People with a learning disability and/or autism experience significant inequalities in health, wellbeing, employment and social inclusion across the life course. This funding priority supports people, including children and young people, with a learning disability and/or autism to live independent, fulfilling lives across the life course, with a strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and participation in community life. While statutory services provide essential care and support, there is a significant opportunity for VCFS organisations to deliver additional, preventative and enabling support that builds independence, reduces isolation and improves quality of life at different stages of life. This includes support from early childhood through adulthood, with particular emphasis on pre-diagnosis support and transitions We are seeking to invest in community-based approaches that are person-centred, strengths-based and flexible, helping people to build skills, relationships and confidence over time, and to access opportunities within their local communities. We are inviting bids that focus on five key areas: 1. Pre-diagnosis and early family support 2. Support for children and young people that may be struggling to engage in education, alongside their families 3. Befriending and building social connection/reducing isolation 4. Respite and/or peer support 5. Coproduction of activities/interventions relating to SEND/LD and/or Autism

Carers (life course approach)

An unpaid carer is someone of any age who provides care or support to a family member, friend, or loved one who could not cope without their help. Caring responsibilities may arise at different points across the life course and for a wide range of reasons, including physical illness, disability, mental health needs, learning disability, addiction, ageing or frailty. People may be lifelong carers or become carers suddenly or gradually, and caring roles often change over time. This includes: • Young carers, who may provide emotional or practical support within families • Young adult carers, balancing caring with education, training or early employment • Working-age adults, managing caring alongside employment and family responsibilities • Older carers, who may experience their own age-related health needs while continuing to care The VCFS sector in Royal Greenwich has played a vital role in supporting unpaid carers at different stages of life, often providing trusted, accessible and culturally responsive support. We are seeking VCFS-led proposals that help address the inequalities faced by carers, recognising how these may emerge early, intensify during key transitions, and accumulate over time. We are inviting bids that focus on three key areas: 1. Building social connection/reducing isolation 2. Respite and/or peer support 3. Coproduction of activities developed with and for carers We are particularly interested in services that recognise the changing needs of carers across the life course and support people through key transitions, including: • Fun, inspiring activities for young carers, including access to safe spaces and trips/visits • Flexible respite and wellbeing support that enables carers to take breaks appropriate to their age, stage of life and caring intensity • Creative, person-centred respite options that support both the carer and the person they care for • Peer-led or intergenerational support groups, including age-specific or transition-focused groups (e.g. young carers moving into adulthood, older carers experiencing declining health) • Day opportunities or activities for cared-for people, enabling carers to focus on their own health, education, employment or social participation • Support during life transitions, such as starting or leaving education, entering or exiting employment, changes in caring intensity, or bereavement

Creative Health and Socially Engaged Arts and Culture

This funding priority supports arts and cultural organisations that are socially engaged and community centred, using creativity to connect people, improve wellbeing, and help individuals and communities to thrive and flourish. The grant programme will fund arts and cultural activities that work in partnership with communities and local service providers to address social challenges and embed creative practice in community settings such as schools, youth clubs, neighbourhood venues, care and health environments, and public spaces. Funded activity will address social challenges, including wellbeing, inequality, isolation, mental health problems, disengagement from education or employment, and barriers to cultural engagement and participation, using arts and culture as a preventative and inclusive approach to embed creativity into everyday life, providing residents opportunities for connection, personal growth and quality of life.

Volunteering Infrastructure

Volunteering provides an important way for people to contribute to civil society and to donate their time to improve life in the Borough. Volunteering also represents an important tool for gaining experience and skills that can help with accessing employment. This priority seeks to increase opportunities for people to volunteer, raise awareness of volunteering opportunities, and work with VCFS organisations to identify and match volunteers with organisations.

Voluntary Opportunities for families known to Children’s Social Care

The Families First agenda and the Children and Young People’s plan identify the need for family support services that provide practical support to reduce the risk of neglect. Feedback highlights the need to support families in building confidence in applying appropriate boundaries for their children and in adopting healthy lifestyles.

Community Centres

The Royal Borough of Greenwich recognises community centres as vital community assets that play a significant role in supporting residents, strengthening neighbourhoods and improving quality of life. Community centres are often the heart of local communities, providing welcoming, accessible spaces where residents can connect, access support, and participate in local activities. They act as important hubs for community-based services, both through activities delivered directly by the organisations that manage centres and through the wide range of groups, services and partners that operate from them. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how they will work collaboratively with partner organisations, resident groups and service providers to deliver a comprehensive community offer. We would expect to see the service user voice in the planning and development of activities. Partnership bids are welcome when they demonstrate greater impact and provide coordinated support across multiple areas. We welcome grant applications relating to social connection, promoting health and wellbeing and supporting diverse communities across the life course. Example interventions include: Children and young people: Services and diversionary activities that reduce the risk of involvement in crime and support positive participation in community life. Social connection and inclusion: Activities that reduce loneliness and isolation, strengthen social and community networks, and create welcoming, inclusive environments, including support following bereavement or reduced community engagement. Healthy ageing: Support for older and frail residents to age well through social connection, physical activity, nutrition and opportunities to maintain independence. Intergenerational and community cohesion: Activities that bring together people of different ages and backgrounds and celebrate culture, identity and diversity. Health and wellbeing: Activities that promote physical activity, healthy eating, positive mental health, emotional wellbeing and healthier behaviours. Confidence, resilience and learning: Learning and development opportunities that build confidence, independence, resilience and skills throughout life. Digital inclusion: Support that enables residents to use digital services and stay connected with family, friends, services and opportunities. Prevention and early intervention: Community-led approaches that identify needs early, prevent problems from escalating and strengthen individual and community resilience.

Befriending and Social Connection for Vulnerable Adults

For the purposes of this funding priority, vulnerable adults are those who are experiencing significant social isolation, loneliness or disconnection from their communities, and who have limited or no access to informal support networks. The aim is to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and support individuals to maintain independence and connection within their communities. This may include individuals who: • Are parents with mental health needs • Live alone and have little or no regular contact with family, friends or neighbours. • Experience chronic loneliness or social isolation. • Experience reduced independence, mobility issues or frailty that limit their ability to engage with others and maintain social networks. • Have experienced bereavement, loss, major life changes or other circumstances that have reduced their support networks. • Face barriers to participation due to disability, culture, language, confidence, mobility or financial circumstances. Demand for befriending services has remained consistently high throughout the current funding cycle. Services report: • Sustained and significant demand, often operating at or near capacity • Waiting lists at peak periods • Consistent year-round need, with some seasonal fluctuations This reflects broader issues including: • Increasing social isolation, particularly among older people, carers and vulnerable adults • Ongoing pressures on carers, with a need for respite and emotional support • The long-term impact of financial and social pressures on wellbeing Befriending programmes are a vital part of the local support offer, providing meaningful social connection and emotional support that enhances wellbeing and helps residents stay engaged within their communities. Services may include: · Creative options for one-to-one befriending (face-to-face, telephone or digital) · Group-based social opportunities · Peer support models · Support for carers through respite befriending · Targeted provision for underrepresented and marginalised groups, including provision which reflects individuals' cultural identity.

Homelessness and supporting people at risk of rough sleeping

Too many residents in the Royal Borough of Greenwich experience homelessness at different stages of their lives, often with significant and long-lasting impacts on their health, wellbeing, life chances and economic stability. Homelessness can occur for families, early in adulthood, later in working life, or in older age, and the timing of homelessness can shape both immediate risks and long-term outcomes. Across the life course, homelessness can disrupt education, training, employment, relationships and access to essential services. When experienced during key transitions such as leaving the family home, moving from education into work, relationship breakdown, release from institutional settings, or later-life changes in health or income, homelessness can contribute to cumulative and entrenched disadvantage over time. The Council’s strategic priority is to prevent homelessness wherever possible and to ensure that, when homelessness does occur, it is brief, non-recurring and does not undermine longer-term life chances. This life-course approach recognises that effective prevention and recovery require early, age-appropriate and sustained support, particularly during periods of heightened vulnerability. This includes: • Early prevention: Intervening at the earliest opportunity to support individuals or families at risk of losing their accommodation, particularly within the private rented sector (PRS). This includes supporting people during key life transitions, such as young adults leaving the parental home, people entering or exiting employment, or individuals experiencing changes in health, relationships or caring responsibilities. • Crisis response: Ensuring that people who do become homeless have immediate access to support and safe, appropriate accommodation, with responses tailored to age, circumstance and level of risk. This is particularly important for families, younger adults, people leaving institutions and those experiencing acute crises. • Recovery and resettlement: Supporting individuals to rebuild stability in their lives, access sustainable housing solutions, and improve longer-term outcomes across the life course. This includes supporting pathways into education, employment, improved health, financial stability and independence, and preventing repeated cycles of homelessness. A single PRS service will play a critical role in delivering these objectives. It will act as a key preventative and stabilising service, improving access to and sustainment of private rented accommodation, reducing reliance on temporary accommodation, and preventing recurring homelessness at different life stages.