Open Call for Sedel-Collings Support the Supporters (UK)

Deadline: 07-Oct-2026

The Sedel-Collings Support the Supporters Grant provides funding of £500 to £5,000 to charitable and volunteer organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to improve the wellbeing, resilience, and capacity of staff, volunteers, and trustees supporting people facing serious challenges. The grant supports new, creative, or pilot approaches that go beyond standard organisational provision. Eligible activities may include professional development, workshops, mentoring, peer support, one-to-one wellbeing support, and creative, physical, or nature-based activities. Projects must start from 1 December 2026 and finish by 30 November 2027. The opportunity is designed particularly for organisations whose staff and volunteers work directly with people experiencing acute difficulties and complex social challenges.

About the Sedel-Collings Support the Supporters Grant

The Sedel-Collings Support the Supporters Grant recognises the important role played by voluntary and charitable organisations in supporting vulnerable people and communities. The grant focuses on the wellbeing of the people delivering this work. Staff, volunteers, and trustees can face considerable emotional and practical pressures when working with people experiencing serious difficulties, including mental health challenges, violence, bereavement, loneliness, and other complex circumstances. The programme aims to strengthen the resilience and capacity of these individuals so that organisations can continue providing effective community support.

About the Sedel-Collings Foundation

The Sedel-Collings Foundation was established in 2006 by Rae Sedel and John Collings with the aim of empowering and sustaining vital community services. The Foundation is now overseen by four Trustees. Its areas of interest include: - Care leavers - Violence against women and girls - Mental health - Suicide prevention - Loneliness - Bereavement - Wellbeing within the voluntary sector Through the Support the Supporters Grant, the Foundation recognises that strengthening the people working in community organisations is an important part of sustaining services for vulnerable communities. What Does the Grant Support? The grant supports projects that improve the wellbeing, resilience, confidence, and capacity of staff, volunteers, and trustees. Projects should generally go beyond standard organisational provision and introduce a new, creative, or pilot approach.

Supported approaches can include:

- Activities led or informed by staff groups - Peer-led wellbeing initiatives - Professional development and learning - Workshops - Mentoring - One-to-one wellbeing support - Peer support - Creative activities - Physical activities - Nature-based activities - Activities encouraging reflection and confidence - Initiatives designed to improve functioning in challenging roles - Imaginative collaborations between organisations The strongest projects are likely to demonstrate how the proposed activity will help people manage the pressures associated with supporting community members facing acute difficulties. Funding Available Eligible organisations can apply for grants ranging from:

- Minimum grant: £500

- Maximum grant: £5,000

The funding is intended for projects specifically focused on strengthening the wellbeing and resilience of staff, volunteers, or trustees. Applicants should therefore clearly connect proposed expenditure with the wellbeing, development, resilience, or effectiveness of the people delivering support. Project Period Funded projects must follow the specified delivery period:

- Project start: From 1 December 2026

- Project end: By 30 November 2027

Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities can realistically be delivered within this period. Who Can Apply? The grant is aimed at charitable and volunteer organisations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that support people experiencing serious challenges. Eligible organisations should demonstrate that their work involves supporting people facing acute or complex difficulties and that the proposed project will directly benefit their: - Staff - Volunteers - Trustees The project itself should have a clear focus on improving the wellbeing, resilience, confidence, learning, or capacity of these individuals. Who Is Not Eligible? The grant does not support every type of organisation or activity.

The following are excluded:

- Commercial profit-making organisations - Statutory or public sector bodies - Projects promoting political causes - Projects promoting religious causes Projects that are limited to statutory or professional requirements are also not the intended focus of this funding. Applicants should therefore demonstrate that their proposal offers meaningful additional value rather than simply covering a standard organisational or professional obligation. Priority for New and Creative Approaches A key feature of the Support the Supporters Grant is its interest in new, creative, or pilot approaches. This means organisations should consider how their project could provide something beyond their normal provision. For example, an organisation could propose: - A peer-support initiative designed and delivered by staff. - A collaborative wellbeing programme developed jointly by several voluntary organisations. - A creative activity programme that helps frontline workers reflect on difficult experiences. - Nature-based activities aimed at reducing workplace pressures and improving resilience. - Mentoring arrangements for staff or volunteers working in particularly challenging roles. - Learning and development activities that build confidence and improve practical capacity. The proposal should explain why the approach is needed and how it will benefit the people responsible for delivering frontline community support. Supporting Staff and Volunteers Facing Challenging Roles Voluntary organisations often work with people experiencing complex and serious difficulties. Employees and vo