See the relevant funding opportunities available to North Tyneside voluntary and community organisations.
LGBT Veterans Financial Recognition Scheme
LGBT veterans who experienced discrimination, including institutional discrimination, while serving in the UK Armed Forces may be eligible for financial redress through the Government’s LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme. The scheme was established following the LGBT Veterans Independent Review and recognises the impact of the ban on LGBT personnel serving in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000, as well as the effects of historic laws that criminalised same-sex sexual activity. Those affected may be able to apply for a financial recognition payment and access a range of restorative measures. In addition to financial redress, eligible veterans may be able to apply for non-financial restorative measures, including the restoration of rank, replacement discharge papers, and changes to service records where appropriate. The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme is open until 12 December 2026, and veterans are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Organisations and individuals working with veterans are also asked
Henry Smith Foundation Maternity Equity Fund
The Henry Smith Foundation’s new Maternity Equity Fund is a three-year funding programme designed to improve access, experiences and outcomes during pregnancy and birth for communities facing the greatest maternity inequalities. The fund will support organisations delivering preventative, community-based maternity support that is trauma-informed, culturally safe and rooted in lived experience. It aims to reduce unfair and avoidable maternity inequities while strengthening trusted organisations working alongside expectant parents and families. Part of the Foundation’s Getting Started programme, the fund focuses on early intervention from conception through to birth, helping give babies and families the best possible start in life. What Funding Is Available? Successful organisations can apply for a grant worth £185,000 over three years, with funding of: £61,600 in year one £61,700 in year two £61,700 in year three The grants are flexible and can be used to strengthen and deliver eligible work. Funding also includes support for staff wellbeing
Common Ground Award
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched the Common Ground Award 2026-27, a capital grants programme designed to support voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that are bringing people together and strengthening community cohesion across England. The award will provide capital investment to organisations whose work helps build social connections between different communities, reduces division and promotes stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods. Funding can be used to support the construction or renovation of community facilities and spaces, as well as the purchase of equipment needed to deliver activities that build social cohesion and resilience. Funding Available Individual organisations: £20,000 to £50,000 Exceptional individual applications: Up to £100,000 Consortium applications: £100,000 to £250,000 What Is the Fund Looking For? Applications will be assessed on how their activities build connections across and between different communities. Eligible organisations should directly support at least one of the following themes: Encouraging
Henry Smith Foundation – Domestic Abuse: Counselling
The Domestic Abuse: Counselling fund opens for applications on 23 September 2026, offering specialist domestic abuse organisations the opportunity to secure £250,000 over five years to provide longer-term counselling for survivors. The fund aims to help organisations sustain counselling services that support victim-survivors to recover from trauma, rebuild confidence and wellbeing, and move forward with their lives. Recognising that recovery often takes time, the fund will support counselling programmes that are available for as long as people need them. Part of the Safer Futures Programme, the fund will award grants of £50,000 per year for five years to organisations with a deep understanding of domestic abuse and the needs of victim-survivors. What can be funded? The fund is looking to support specialist domestic abuse organisations with at least three years’ experience delivering counselling to victim-survivors of domestic abuse. Counselling services should be: Person-centred Longer-term, with a minimum of 12 sessions
The Tyne & Wear High Sheriff Awards Fund
Voluntary and community organisations and registered charities working with young people across Tyne and Wear are invited to apply for the Tyne & Wear High Sheriff’s Awards. Grants of up to £1,000 are available to support projects, purchase equipment, or contribute towards organisational running costs. The programme is open to organisations supporting children and young people aged 10 to 25 in Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Applications should demonstrate how activities help young people make positive contributions to their communities, overcome disadvantage, build confidence and life skills, access training and employment opportunities, engage in volunteering, or promote diversity and inclusion. Successful organisations will be recognised at the Tyne & Wear High Sheriff’s Awards ceremony in March 2027, celebrating the positive impact they make on the lives of local young people. Applications will be considered by the High Sheriff panel in December 2026, with applicants expected to be
The Mayor’s Small Venues Fund
The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority has announced the Mayor’s Small Venues Fund, delivered as part of the Mayor’s wider investment work for culture, creative industries and sport. The fund is intended to support grassroots creative venues across the North East. Its aims include improving venue sustainability, enhancing facilities, developing audiences and strengthening contributions to the local cultural economy. The support is also designed to protect and develop small venues as cultural infrastructure for artists, performers and communities. Grants will be available from £3,000 to £100,000. Support will be offered through both revenue and capital awards, depending on the purpose of the request. Applications are open to permanent venues in the North East whose primary activity is delivering live creative events and performances. This includes independent theatres, concert halls and specialist performance venues hosting live music, dance, theatre, immersive art and similar activity, as well as multi-use creative venues that