A new grants round to support older people, from the Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund, has opened. Its aim is to work with local communities and projects which support older people, particularly projects which aim to reduce loneliness or isolation. The Sir George Benevolent Fund is managed by UK Community Foundations (UKCF).
The Sir George Benevolent Fund is named after its principal benefactor, the late Sir George Earle, who wanted to support current and former employees of Blue Circle Industries in the UK. The fund was established in 1974 and was transferred to UKCF in 2018. UKCF receives dividends from the investment, which are drawn down annually to run grants rounds through community foundations. The grants round is now open to groups in Oxfordshire due to its links to historic cement works. Grants between £500 and £3,000 are available. Applications are open over the summer and close on Thursday 1st September.
The fund aims to make a difference for older people by improving their access to social activity, reducing their feelings of loneliness or isolation, and increasing the availability of local projects or activity for them. Are you responding to such needs in Oxfordshire? Are you a small organisation in a local area of disadvantage? Can you demonstrate a clearly defined need in your community?
Here are some examples of the types of activities for older people that could be funded:
- Daytime opportunities which address problems of isolation and/or loneliness
- Drop in centres
- Befriending schemes
- Lunch clubs
- Support groups
- Respite activities for carers
- Self-help groups
Early applications are always welcomed, so if you are working with older people and meet the eligibility criteria, consider applying for a grant from the Sir George Earle Benevolent Fund.