Healthy Communities Grant

1. Introduction 

The Healthy Communities Grants Programme is designed to support voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Coventry to deliver locally led activities that improve health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on prevention and cardiovascular health. 

The programme recognises the vital role that community-based organisations play in engaging residents, reducing health inequalities, and supporting people to take an active role in managing their own health. Funding is therefore aimed at initiatives that respond to local need, are rooted in communities, and complement the work of statutory health and care services. 

Through this grant programme, we aim to pilot innovative and creative approaches, delivered in partnership with local health and social care professionals, that support adults to improve their health outcomes and access appropriate support. The fund also encourages organisations to test new ideas at a small scale, learn from delivery, and use this learning to develop sustainable projects that may be scaled up in future. 

Applicants are expected to work collaboratively with the Public Health team and wider health and care system, ensuring funded activity aligns with local health priorities and contributes to a coordinated approach to prevention and early intervention in Coventry. 

The primary aim of the grant funding is to support community organisations charities and social enterprises to: 

• Pilot innovative and creative projects with health professionals, aimed at adults, to deliver local services that are important to residents, address local need, positively impact people’s health, and support them to actively manage their own health conditions. 
• That creates/pilots’ partnerships and ways of working that continue after the project end period. 

2. Purpose of the Grant 

The primary aims of the grant funding are to support organisations, charities, Groups & social enterprises to: 

Develop and deliver innovative, community-based projects that: 

• Address local cardiovascular health needs 
• Encourage increased physical activity and healthier lifestyles 
• Support people to better manage their own health and long-term conditions  
• Are created or delivered in partnership with health and social care professionals 

2.2 Build Sustainable Partnerships 

Test approaches that: 

• Strengthen collaborative working between VCSE groups and local health professionals 
• Have the potential to continue beyond the funding period 
• Contribute to wider neighbourhood health priorities 

3. Who can apply? 

• VCSE organisations based in Coventry can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to deliver new targeted prevention & cardiovascular focused activities as well as wider health-focused projects. 

Most grants awarded will range between £200 and £5,000. In exceptional circumstances, applications may be considered for higher awards. 

We are keen to support projects that test new ideas and reach new communities. As such, we also welcome applications for microgrants to pilot or trial an idea, with the opportunity to reapply at a later stage to grow or expand the project and maximise its impact. 

4. What types of activities can be funded? 

The programme will support a broad range of accessible, community-based activities that promote cardiovascular and other health conditions, such as: 

• Healthy walking groups 
• Exercise, aerobics, stretching or resistance sessions 
• Swimming or water-based movement classes
• Dance, yoga, or movement-based activities 
• Healthy eating and cooking workshops 
• Cardiovascular & health education sessions 
• Blood pressure or health monitoring workshops 
• Diabetes support, guidance 
• Parkinsons, COPD, Cancer, Stroke friendship and support groups 

These are just a few examples and not exhaustive. Please speak to public health about your ideas before applying.  

4.1 Partnership examples 

Activities must link into the wider health and care system. 

Examples include: 

• Working with GP practices to promote walking groups, provide referrals, or codesign condition specific sessions 
• Collaborating with social prescribers, family hubs, health visitors, midwifery teams, or specialist NHS teams 
• Developing inclusive activities such as guided walks for people with sight loss or water-based mobility sessions for people at risk of falls  
• Co-delivering health literacy workshops on managing blood pressure or long-term conditions  

These partnerships will play a key role in ensuring projects are aligned with identified local health needs and should provide pathways to additional support for residents as needed. 

5. Programme requirements 

To receive funding, organisations must: 

5.1 Submit a Clear Proposal 

Your application must: 

• Explain how the funding will be used 
• Demonstrate community benefit, particularly around health 
• Include costed activities and a realistic timeline 
• Show clear partnership working with health and social care professionals 

5.2 Engage with Digital Support Tools 

As part of the programme, organisations must: 

• Upload information about their activities to the Coventry Information Directory 
• Be part of the wider community network involved in making sure healthy lifestyle messages reach communities  
• Promote the  Hope For The Community CIC.  app to help residents access digital self-management tools 
• Let us know if you would like support to use the HOPE app in your project, with access to further resources and potential funding (see HOPE App Guidance). 

5.3 Budget and Delivery Conditions 

• Grants must be spent within 12 months of award 
• Projects must start within three months of receiving funds 
• Retrospective funding is not permitted 

6. How to apply 

Please submit: 

1. Completed Application Form 

2. A recent bank statement showing: 

• Organisation name (must match application) 
• Bank name and logo 
• Address 
• Account number and sort code 

Send both documents to: HealthyCommunities@coventry.gov.uk 

Please note: Applications must be submitted with all required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. 

Application timelines 

• Applications will be assessed within approximately 4 weeks of receipt 
• Successful applicants will receive a grant agreement requiring signature 
• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email  

7. Eligibility criteria 

Eligible organisations must: 

• Be a voluntary, community or not-for-profit group based in Coventry  
• Have a management committee of at least three unrelated people 
• Have a signed constitution or governing document 
• Hold a bank account requiring two signatories/dual authorisation 
• Confirm contact with Public Health to discuss the proposal before submitting (email: HealthyCommunities@coventry.gov.uk ) 

Organisations must ensure the grant: 

• Is used solely for the proposed project 
• Is not used to support the wider operations of a parent organisation 

Applicants must also ensure compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022. 

8. Exclusions 

Funding cannot be used for: 

• Activities already funded by Coventry City Council 
• Commercial or for-profit businesses
• Individuals 
• Party-political activities political activities 
• Projects/ activities for young people 
• Scout or Uniformed Groups 
• Statutory organisations

9. Monitoring and evaluation 

Grant recipients must participate in programme monitoring.  

This includes: 

• Quarterly meetings with the Public Health team 
• Completion of a simple evaluation 
• Producing a case study demonstrating impact & partnership working 
• Keeping receipts and maintaining an expenditure tracker 

Public funds must be used transparently, and projects must show clear benefit to local communities. 

10. Privacy Notice (Summary) 

Information provided in your application will be used by Coventry City Council to assess eligibility and allocate funding. Data may be shared with relevant partners involved in the assessment process. Results may be shared publicly in anonymised form. 

For more information, please refer to the Council’s full Privacy Notice.

11. Further information 

The Public Health Team is available throughout the application period and delivery phase to offer advice and support. 

For queries or an application form, please email: HealthyCommunities@coventry.gov.uk