Apply now: Funding available to support Falkirk’s local carers
A new £500,000 fund has been made available to organisations supporting carers in the Falkirk area.
Launched by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, the Carers Challenge Fund offers grants of up to £35,000 to support projects which help people who provide care for a family member or loved one.
Funding can be used by organisations or community groups to help improve carers health and wellbeing, enable a break from caring, or go towards initiatives which help identify ‘hidden carers’ in the community.
A carer is ‘a person of any age who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help due to frailty, illness, disability or addiction’ – (Scottish Government, 2016).
Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre, which provides advice and support to anyone with a caring role in the local area, says that any local organisation with a charitable cause can help support carers.
Laura McKenzie, Operations Manager at the Carers Centre, said: “We estimate there could be well over 17,000 people in the Falkirk area who provide care for a relative, friend, or neighbour. Many of these individuals may not see themselves as a carer but will be supported by a range of organisations, services, and groups in their daily life.
“I’d encourage any local group or organisation to consider how they can help people in their community who may need additional support to take part in activities, or improve their wellbeing, while they carry out a caring role.”
The Carers Challenge Fund is open to community groups, third sector organisations, and statutory organisations, with applications open until Friday 23 December.
How to apply
Please review the application guidance document below, and return your completed application form via email to carers@falkirk.gov.uk by Friday 23 December 2022.
Frequently asked questions
Funding is available for 2 years from January 2023, to support children, young people and/or adults.
Eligible organisations can apply for up to £35k per annum for an initial year.
Continuation of funding will be dependent on the delivery of outcomes and the available budget.
We will accept proposals from community, third sector groups and statutory organisations. To qualify, organisations must:
- Be a registered charity or a constituted organisation that has only charitable purpose(s) and that delivers public benefit.
- have an adequate governance structure, tied to a committee or board.
Unincorporated organisations will be restricted to £10k per annum.
Funding can support children, young people and/or adults, and will be evaluated against the 5 criteria listed within the application guidance.
Funds cannot be used:
- for the sole benefit of one individual;
- by private companies or sole traders;
- for activities promoting religious or political beliefs;
- for activities supporting people not resident in the Falkirk Local Authority area.