Apply Now: Dementia Carers Fund (United Kingdom)

The Dementia Carers Fund provides grants of up to £3,000 to non-profit organisations delivering projects that support full-time unpaid carers of people living with dementia in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Funding is designed to provide respite, practical assistance, social connection, and wellbeing support so carers can attend appointments, take essential breaks, reduce isolation, and protect their own health and wellbeing. What Is the Dementia Carers Fund? The Dementia Carers Fund supports organisations working with unpaid carers who provide ongoing care for family members, partners, friends, or other loved ones with dementia. Caring for someone with dementia can involve significant emotional, physical, and practical responsibilities. Full-time unpaid carers may have limited opportunities to rest, attend their own appointments, socialise, or focus on their personal wellbeing. The fund aims to address these challenges by supporting projects that give carers opportunities to take a break, access practical support, maintain their health, and reduce social isolation. Why Does the Dementia Carers Fund Matter? Unpaid carers can spend much of their time supporting another person’s daily needs while putting their own wellbeing aside. Long-term caring responsibilities can make it difficult to: Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to: £3,000 Funding should be used for projects that directly benefit unpaid carers of people with dementia. Because the fund is focused on relatively small-scale support, applicants should present a practical and achievable project that can demonstrate clear benefits within the available funding. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The Dementia Carers Fund is open to non-profit organisations operating in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Potential eligible organisations include:

Registered charities. Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs). Community interest companies (CICs). Social enterprises. Other community-focused not-for-profit organisations. The organisation must be operating in the eligible area and the proposed project must directly benefit unpaid carers of people with dementia. Where Must Projects Be Delivered? Projects must be delivered within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. This geographic requirement applies to the project and its intended beneficiaries.

Organisations should clearly explain:

Where activities will take place. Which communities will be served. Who will benefit. How the project meets the geographic requirement. Who Are the Beneficiaries? The primary beneficiaries are full-time unpaid carers of people with dementia.

These may include people caring for:

A spouse or partner. A parent. Another family member. A friend or loved one. The important distinction is that the project must provide a direct benefit to the unpaid carer rather than focusing exclusively on the person living with dementia. What Does “Direct Benefit to Carers” Mean? A project should clearly demonstrate how its activities improve the wellbeing or circumstances of unpaid carers.

For example:

Activity: Volunteer befriending service Benefit: Reduced isolation and increased social connection.

Activity: Respite support Benefit: Carer receives time to rest or attend personal appointments.

Activity: Wellbeing sessions Benefit: Carers gain opportunities for relaxation, self-care, and stress reduction.

Applicants should make this connection explicit throughout the proposal. How to Apply for the Dementia Carers Fund Applicants should develop their application around a specific challenge faced by unpaid dementia carers. Clearly explain the challenge facing unpaid carers.

For example:

Carers cannot attend appointments. Carers lack opportunities for respite. Carers experience social isolation. Carers struggle to prioritise their own wellbeing. Carers need practical or emotional support.

Step 3: Design the Project

Develop a practical intervention that directly responds to the identified need.

Explain:

What activities will be delivered. Where they will take place. How many carers will benefit. How carers will access the support. Who will deliver the activities. How the project will operate.

Step 4: Explain the Expected Benefits

Describe the changes the project is expected to create.

Potential outcomes include:

Reduced carer stress. Increased opportunities for respite. Improved wellbeing. Reduced isolation. Better access to personal appointments. Greater social connection. Increased opportunities for self-care.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Create a realistic budget showing how the requested grant will be spent. The budget should directly relate to project activities and demonstrate good value for money.

Step 6: Demonstrate Local Impact

Explain how the project will benefit unpaid dementia carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Where possible, include information about: Expected number of beneficiaries. Communities served. Existing demand. Current service gaps. Expected outcomes.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete the application according to the fund’s current requirements and ensure that all required information is provided. What Makes a Strong Application? A competitive application should provide a direct and easy-to-understand connection between the carers’ needs, proposed activities, and expected outcomes. Showing how the project complements existing services. Keeping the project achievable within £3,000. Explaining how the benefits will continue beyond the grant where appropriate. Why Respite Support Is Important Respite is an important part of supporting unpaid carers because it gives them time away from their caring responsibilities. Even short periods of respite can provide opportunities to: Rest. Attend appointments. Complete personal tasks. Spend time with friends. Exercise.

Participate in hobbies

Recharge emotionally. The fund specifically recognises the importance of enabling carers to maintain their own wellbeing while continuing to support someone with dementia.