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
Rescue Centre Grants – Pets Foundation
The Pets Foundation offers grants to UK organisations whose main focus is the rescue and rehoming of pets. Funding helps charities continue their vital work caring for animals in need. Grant amountsGrants start from £250, with larger awards also available. Last year, the largest grant supported a kennel build, totalling £180,000. What we fundWe support […]
KFC Youth Foundation grants
The KFC Youth Foundation is offering grants to grassroots organisations helping young people thrive in areas of high deprivation. Funding supports work with young people aged 11–25 that creates safe spaces, provides positive activities and builds life skills for a more secure future. This includes programmes that develop confidence, resilience and job readiness. Grant amount […]
Ballinger Charitable Trust
The Ballinger Charitable Trust provides funding to charitable organisations, community interest companies, and local groups based in North‑East England. Its grants support projects that benefit young people, older people, and communities experiencing disadvantage, helping to improve wellbeing, development, and access to opportunities. Grant amountsGrants typically range from £10,000 to £20,000 per year, often awarded over […]
The Charles Robert Bell Fund
New funding is available for organisations supporting people experiencing mental health challenges. The Charles Robert Bell Fund is offering grants of £1,000–£3,000 to support work that improves mental health and wellbeing, including support for ex-service personnel. Funding can be used flexibly for project delivery, capital costs or core running costs. If your organisation is delivering […]
Marsh Christian Trust
The Trust focuses on providing unrestricted grants of £300 to £2,000 which could help small organisations pay for various running costs, such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings. The trust aims to build long-standing relationships with successful applicants and, subject to an annual review, continue its support over time. Funding […]
Bookings open for VODA Funding Fair 2026
Bookings are now open for the VODA Funding Fair 2026, a face-to-face funding event for voluntary and community organisations in North Tyneside. The fair connects local organisations directly with funders through short, structured appointments. It is designed to help groups explore funding opportunities, discuss project ideas and check how well they meet funder criteria. Date: […]
DWF Foundation
The DWF Foundation is an independent charity established by DWF to support registered charities with funds, resources and mentoring that help communities thrive. It focuses on five priority areas: homelessness, health and wellbeing, employability, education, and the environment and sustainability. Who can applyUK‑registered charities working locally to address one or more of the Foundation’s priority […]
Bernard Sunley Foundation
The Bernard Sunley Foundation provides one‑off capital grants to registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), and certain exempt groups in England and Wales. Its funding supports projects that improve quality of life and opportunities for young people, older adults, disabled people, and others facing disadvantage. Grant amountsGrants are offered at three levels: Small grants: up […]
Community Choice Programme
New £1,000 Community Choice grants open for health and wellbeing charities A new funding opportunity has launched for small charities and community interest companies (CICs) working to improve health and wellbeing. Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, the Community Choice programme is offering 10 organisations the chance to receive a £1,000 grant. The funding […]
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation provides substantial grants to UK organisations seeking to create long‑term impact and drive systemic change. Funding supports core costs or projects that align with the Foundation’s strategic priorities, including social justice, community wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Grants start at £30,000 with no upper limit, and most are awarded for three to […]
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.