Applications Open: The Pargiter Trust Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 31-Aug-2026

The Pargiter Trust Fund provides grants to support disadvantaged people aged over 65 in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to remain independent, healthy, active, and socially connected. Funding supports projects that address isolation, health and wellbeing, financial hardship, disability, bereavement, access to services, and other challenges affecting older people. Grants generally range from £5,000 to £10,000, although smaller applications may also be considered where they demonstrate strong impact. Eligible projects must primarily benefit people aged over 65 living in Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, or Sunderland. What Is the Pargiter Trust Fund? The Pargiter Trust Fund supports projects that improve the lives of disadvantaged older people aged over 65 in specified communities across North East England. The fund focuses on three broad outcomes:

Independence: Helping older people remain independent and access appropriate support.

Health and wellbeing: Improving physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Social inclusion: Reducing loneliness and helping older people participate in their communities.

The fund is particularly relevant to organizations working with older people who experience additional disadvantages because of illness, disability, bereavement, financial difficulties, isolation, or other barriers. Why Does the Pargiter Trust Fund Matter? Older people can face multiple barriers to remaining independent and socially connected. These activities can help reduce loneliness and strengthen community participation. Food and Refreshment Projects Funding can support initiatives that provide hot meals and refreshments where these activities contribute to the health and social wellbeing of older people. Food-based projects can be particularly valuable where they also provide opportunities for social interaction and community support. Advice, Information and Training The fund can support initiatives that improve older people’s access to: Projects involving intergenerational learning or support are also encouraged where appropriate. Support for Carers Projects may include respite support for carers, particularly where this helps older people and their carers maintain wellbeing and independence. Support During Difficult Circumstances The fund is interested in projects that help older people overcome challenges associated with: Illness. Injury. Disability. Bereavement. Financial difficulties. Social isolation. Cost of living pressures. Projects should demonstrate a clear benefit to disadvantaged older people. What Does Social Inclusion Mean for Older People? Social inclusion means ensuring that older people can participate meaningfully in community life and are not excluded because of age, disability, financial circumstances, health conditions, or other barriers. Funded projects may promote social inclusion by providing: Community activities. Social opportunities. Volunteering. Peer support. Digital inclusion. Intergenerational engagement. Access to advice and information. Can Projects Address the Cost of Living Crisis? Yes. The fund welcomes applications that help organizations adapt their service delivery in response to cost of living pressures.

Projects should clearly explain:

What cost pressures are affecting the organization or beneficiaries. How the proposed project responds to those pressures. Why the support is particularly important for disadvantaged older people. What outcomes will be achieved. Who Is Eligible? Projects must primarily benefit people aged over 65 living in one of the following areas: Gateshead. Newcastle. Northumberland. North Tyneside. South Tyneside. Sunderland. The focus is specifically on disadvantaged older people. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs of the older people they intend to support. Which Older People Are a Priority? The fund prioritizes areas of greatest need. Applicants are encouraged, where possible, to focus on older people experiencing additional disadvantage, including people with protected characteristics. Projects may therefore be particularly relevant where they support older people affected by: Disability. Illness. Financial hardship. Social isolation. Bereavement. Other forms of disadvantage or exclusion. How Much Funding Is Available?

Typical grants range from:

£5,000 to £10,000. Smaller funding requests may also be considered when applicants can demonstrate a strong impact against the fund’s criteria. Applicants should request an amount that is proportionate to the project’s scale and expected outcomes. What Projects Will Not Be Funded? The fund does not support activities that: Do not primarily benefit people aged over 65. Fall outside the eligible geographic areas. Do not demonstrate a clear connection to the fund’s objectives. Involve the purchase of motor vehicles. Applicants should ensure that the main beneficiaries are older people aged over 65 in the specified areas. How to Apply for the Pargiter Trust Fund

Step 1: Confirm Geographic Eligibility

Check that the project will primarily benefit older people living in: Gateshead. Newcastle. Northumberland. North Tyneside. South Tyneside. Sunderland.

Step 2: Identify the Target Beneficiaries

Clearly describe the older people who will benefit. Provide evidence of the problem the project will address.

For example, explain:

Why older people are isolated. What services are currently unavailable. How cost of living pressures affect participation. Why existing services are insufficient. Why the proposed intervention is needed.

Step 4: Describe the Project

Explain exactly what the funding will support.

Include:

Activities. Number of beneficiaries. Location. Frequency of activities. Delivery approach. Staff or volunteer involvement.

Partnerships where relevant

Step 5: Explain the Expected Impact

Show how the project will help older people become: More independent. Healthier. More socially connecte