From peer support groups for people suffering with arthritis to cycling support for children and families, voluntary sector organisations are beginning an important programme of work to help tackle health inequalities across North Tyneside.
A new Health Inequalities Grant Programme, developed by members of the Better Together group, has awarded grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 to fourteen Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations. Funding has been provided by NHS North East and North Cumbria (formerly North Tyneside CCG) and North Tyneside Council, with the grant programme being administered by VODA.
All funded activities focus on delivering outcomes relating to the key themes of the recently published Equally Well strategy for North Tyneside – ‘Equal life chances for all’, ‘Thriving places and communities’ and ‘Maintaining independence’.
The grants programme aims to be more than just an offer of funding. In order to build an evidence base of what works and to help identify scalable solutions, all successful applicants will attend six-monthly learning and development sessions delivered in partnership with Goodlabs – a local management consultancy that helps charitable organisations to enhance their social impact.
Case Studies
National Garden Scheme: Community Garden Grants
Grants of £1,500 – £5,000 are available for community gardening projects that increase access to green spaces and the health and well-being benefits of gardening. Deadline for applications: 30 October 2026. Community Garden Grants – National Garden Scheme
Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Grants
Funded through money seized from convicted loan sharks, this programme offers up to £5,000 for community projects across England that raise awareness of the dangers of illegal money lending, prevent crime and disorder, promote the work of the Illegal Money Lending Team, and encourage reporting. Eligible applicants include local residents, charities, community and voluntary groups, […]
Ofcom Community Radio Fund 2026/27
Supports the sustainability and growth of Ofcom-licensed community radio stations across the UK. For 2026/27, £904,644 is available. Two funding streams are offered: an Equipment Stream providing grants of up to £2,000 for studio, transmission and accessibility equipment (including items such as mixing desks, recording equipment and antenna equipment) for analogue community radio stations that […]
Miller Homes Community Fund
Supporting small, local initiatives that strengthen neighbourhoods in England and Scotland (must be in an area Miller Homes operates), this fund offers £250–£2,000 for community projects linked to education, wellbeing, environmental improvement or participation in sport. Applications are reviewed twice a year by Miller Homes’ Community Fund Ambassadors, with awards made to groups enhancing the […]
easyfundraising Impact Fund
The Easyfundraising Impact Fund is offering 15 grants of £1,000 to UK not-for-profit organisations to help them continue, strengthen or enhance the work they already do in their communities. The funding is unrestricted and can be used where it is needed most, including core and running costs, existing services, planned activities or improvements to facilities. […]
WCIT Charity
UK-registered charities can apply for grants of £5,000 to £15,000 from the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) Charity for projects that use technology to improve digital inclusion, accessibility and participation. Funding is available for projects supporting one or more of WCIT Charity’s priority areas of education, inclusion, tech for charities and public understanding of […]
Riverhorse Trust
The Riverhorse Trust funds charities that provide direct support to people in their communities. This includes a range of projects that can address immediate needs, such as relief efforts, as well as initiatives aimed at long-term change, such as advocacy and prevention work. The grants can be used flexibly for various costs, including project costs, […]
The True Colours Trust – UK Small Grants programme
The True Colours Trust UK Small Grants programme supports local organisations that improve the lives of disabled children, young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. Grants help charities provide activities, family support, bereavement services, and specialist equipment or facilities. Grant amountsGrants are awarded up to £10,000, though many are smaller. Who can applyUK-registered charities […]
Unity Impact Grants
Unity Trust Bank Unity Impact Grants programme, the bank provides direct funding to eligible customers for community, social and environmental projects. In 2026 the funding pot doubled to £100,000, comprising 12 Unity Social Impact Grants of £5,000 and 4 Unity Environmental Impact Grants of £10,000. Funding can support projects, operational costs or capital expenditure. Eligibility […]
Sunrise Medical Community Fund
A new £5,000 fund is offering grants to individuals, families, community groups, charities, disability organisations and sports clubs across the UK for initiatives that increase independence, inclusion and opportunity for wheelchair users and disabled people. Funding can support sports equipment, community events, days out and experiences, personal challenges and local community projects that remove practical […]
Work funded
- Tyneside and Northumberland MIND – support people with mental health problems to improve their physical and mental health and to manage their conditions through exercise.
- Whitley Bay Islamic Cultural Centre – creation of a new community gym.
- Linskill Trust – deliver community nutritionist led cooking sessions for parents and carers.
- North East Autism Society – support children and their families to address the health and care inequalities faced by autistic people.
- LD North East – support people with learning disabilities to access health services and overcome barriers to taking part in physical activities
- Versus Arthritis – set up a local volunteer-led support group for people with arthritis
- Quadrant Leisure CIC – offers opportunities, support, and advice to individuals to improve their lifestyles and to make informed choices about their health.
- Shiremoor Adventure Playground – support local children and their families to cycle to the adventure playground using the wagon-way. Will also offer cycling proficiency and maintenance sessions, bikes and equipment will be provided and at the end of the programme families will be able to access free, or low cost children’s bikes.
- Deaf Awareness NE – offer accessible health and fitness sessions to deaf and hard of hearing people.
- Smile Through Sport – provide disability specific sessions solely for autistic young people and work with recently disabled adults to fill a gap that has been created by the pandemic.
- MHA Communities North Tyneside – support older people who are referred from the local enablement service who are lonely and isolated. Volunteers will build a positive relationship with the older people, helping them access their community.
- Out of Sight – offer a range of social activities to reduce social isolation amongst the older people it supports, alongside healthy lifestyle support.
- Age UK North Tyneside – support hard to reach older people and those older people whose health is poor, or complex. It will work with four community venues to deliver singing, dancing, technology and cooking activities, setting up 12 new weekly groups.
- Support and Grow North East – set up 15 Cuppa Clubs across North Tyneside, where people experiencing loneliness, isolation and / or have mental health issues can access support.
- Peer Talk – develop more peer support groups for people with mental health problems.