Since the COVID-19 pandemic our city has seen an increase in loneliness and isolation, impacting on the health and wellbeing of local people.  HOPE is a partnership between Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) and Wolverhampton Voluntary and Community Action (WVCA) which has received funding to improve mental health due to isolation or other factors.

As part of our work we have established a small grants programme which will support activities that will help to reduce isolation and loneliness. This funding opportunity is for grass roots community groups and small organisations to organise and run social groups and activities that will bring people together. This for example could be activities focused on particular interests, fitness sessions, mental health workshops or anything else that will bring people together.  We anticipate the need for activities to focus on health and wellbeing, building resilience, budget management, and social/companionship.

• You will be a voluntary organisation or community group with a turnover of less than £50K
• Your proposed project must be based in Wolverhampton and primarily support Wolverhampton residents
• Your project must focus on supporting the needs of people whose mental health has been affected by loneliness and isolation (perhaps as a result of Covid-19).

If you meet the criteria and wish to apply for a grant, what next?

Please use the application form that forms part of this document to make your application for funding.

Your application will be assessed by a panel that consists of impartial and experienced colleagues from a range of backgrounds that are involved in the HOPE project.

1. Unacceptable: proposal is not credible or robust, and does not demonstrate how programme outcomes will be met
2. Poor: proposal lacks some credibility and robustness, and does not clearly demonstrate how programme outcomes will be met
3. Satisfactory: proposal is reasonably credible and robust, and reasonably demonstrates how programme outcomes will be met
4. Good: proposal is credible and robust, and clearly demonstrates how programme outcomes will be met
5. Excellent: proposal is highly credible and robust, and very clearly demonstrates how programme outcomes will be met
   • To be successful you must score at least 3 on each question.
   • The strength of your application will be considered alongside other applications we receive.
   • We will also think about the range and balance of different projects we are supporting.
   • We want the projects we fund to cover a broad range of activities, applicants, and geographical areas.

• 4th September 2023
• 6th November 2023
• 8th January 2024
• 4th March 2024
• 6th May 2024
• 8th July 2024

You can apply for staff time, volunteer expenses, or resources involved in delivering the proposed activities.  We can provide funding for applications of precisely £1000, £2000 or £5000 in value.

Completing the application

Please tell us using the form below about the project or activity you want to deliver, the impact it will have of beneficiaries and what you will spend the money on. Please be as clear as possible in your answers so the panel will fully understand what you are proposing and why. Once completed please return the form to: applications@wvca.org.uk.

HOPE Small Grant Application Form (Word, 320Kb)