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
Why The Chair And CEO Relationship Matters
One of the most important relationships in any charity is that between the Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). When it works well, it provides the leadership, support and constructive challenge needed for an organisation to thrive. When it doesn’t, the impact can be felt across the whole organisation. The Association of Chairs has recently […]
UnLtd Awards for UK Social Entrepreneurs
UnLtd, a registered charity supporting social entrepreneurship in the UK, is inviting applications for awards to help social entrepreneurs start up or grow ventures and create long-term social impact. Two types of financial support are available: Starting Up Awards – up to £8,000 for social entrepreneurs whose venture has not started trading or has been […]
The Jackie Haq Fund: Community Foundation
The Jackie Haq Fund at the Community Foundation focuses on supporting small grassroots community organisations that have collective action at their core. The Fund supports organisations working in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland, helping to address any of the following: domestic violence, especially against women and children Fuel and food poverty racism and disadvantage mental […]
Grants for Good
Matthew Good Foundation offers unrestricted grants of up to £5,000 for organisations with an annual income less than £50,00. Open to charities, CICs and community organisations. Funding can be used for project delivery, core costs or organisational development and supports initiatives creating positive social or environmental impact. Closing date: 15 December 2026. Apply to Grants […]
London Hearts: Defibrillator Funding
London Hearts Charity provides funding towards community defibrillators. Open to charities, community groups, sports clubs and individuals across the UK. Funding helps communities access life-saving equipment and reduce fundraising costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply For A Defibrillator | London Hearts
Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Grant
Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation offers grants of up to £10,000 for project costs. Open to charities, CICs, schools and community organisations. Funding supports initiatives that promote peaceful alternatives to violence, social wellbeing and community development. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Apply to the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation
Basketball England: Project Swish
Basketball England provides funding and support for outdoor basketball court improvements. Open to community groups, local authorities, sports clubs and charities in England. Funding can support court refurbishments and the provision of equipment, including basketball nets. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Apply for funding with Project Swish – Basketball Court Improvement Program
Grassroots Football: Storage Container Grants Funding
Football Foundation offers grants of up to £25,000 for capital improvements. Open to grassroots football clubs, schools, local authorities and community organisations in England. Funding supports the purchase and installation of secure on-site storage containers for football equipment and facilities. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Apply for Storage Container Grants Funding | Grassroots Football
The Alan Hull Bursary Fund
The Alan Hull Bursary exists to encourage young songwriters. Applicants must be aged 25 or under, based in the North East of England at the time of applying and be passionate about songwriting. Grant Size: £1,000 Deadline: 16/11/26 £1000 bursary in memory of Alan Hull (Lindisfarne)
The Young Musicians Fund
The Young Musicians Fund supports children and young people (up to 21) in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to pursue musical ambitions. Grants may pay for musical instruments, tuition fees or other associated costs. Priority is given to households with an income of less than £35,000 per year. Grant Size: £500 Deadline: 16/11/26 Apply for […]
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.