Request for Applications: Family Focus Programme (UK)

Deadline: 04-Nov-26

The Family Focus programme provides grants to organisations supporting armed forces families with care needs during military service, transition out of service, or adjustment to civilian life. The programme has returned with expanded funding and longer grant durations, building on lessons from previous funding rounds and feedback from stakeholders. It aims to address the evolving needs of armed forces families managing care responsibilities and help families access support, maintain social connections, and improve their wellbeing. Organisations can apply for grants of £100,000 to £200,000 for projects lasting two to three years.

About the Family Focus Programme

Family Focus recognises that illness, injury, disability, or the emergence of care needs can have a significant effect on armed forces families. Care responsibilities can affect family relationships, daily routines, emotional wellbeing, and the ability to maintain social connections. Families may also experience difficulties accessing appropriate services or may not identify themselves as carers. The programme therefore focuses on supporting families and family carers, including those who may face barriers to seeking help. How Much Funding Is Available? Organisations can apply for grants ranging from: - £100,000 minimum. - £200,000 maximum. - Project duration of two to three years. The expanded funding and longer grant periods are intended to enable organisations to develop sustained support for armed forces families with care needs. What Are the Two Family Focus Funding Routes? This round of Family Focus offers two distinct routes for projects. Support for Families During Service This route focuses on families where a serving member of the armed forces has care responsibilities or where family members have health or care needs during active service.

Projects may support:

- Serving personnel caring for ill or disabled family members. - Families supporting children with health conditions. - Families supporting children with neurodiverse conditions. - Family carers managing care responsibilities during active service. Support During or After Transition to Civilian Life The second route focuses on families transitioning out of the armed forces or those that have recently transitioned. Projects may support families adjusting to civilian life while managing ongoing care responsibilities, including families caring for veterans with service-related health issues. Who Can Benefit From Family Focus Projects? The programme supports a wide range of armed forces families with care responsibilities.

Potential beneficiaries include:

- Serving personnel caring for ill or disabled family members. - Families supporting children with health conditions. - Families supporting children with neurodiverse conditions. - Families caring for veterans with service-related health issues. - Family carers. - Young carers. - Families that do not identify themselves as carers. - Families that face barriers to accessing support. Projects should recognise that some families may be reluctant to seek help or may not recognise that they qualify for support. What Outcomes Should Projects Achieve? Projects funded through Family Focus must aim to produce meaningful outcomes for armed forces families and family carers.

Expected outcomes include:

- Increasing families’ knowledge and confidence in accessing relevant information and services. - Reducing loneliness and social isolation. - Improving emotional wellbeing. - Strengthening resilience. - Helping family carers develop skills and confidence for volunteering. - Supporting family carers to develop skills and confidence for training. - Supporting family carers to develop skills and confidence for employment. Projects should demonstrate how their activities will contribute to these outcomes. Focus on Family Carers A central requirement of the Family Focus programme is that projects focus on the needs of family carers, rather than solely on the person receiving care. The programme recognises that family members who provide care can experience their own challenges and may require information, emotional support, social connections, and opportunities to develop their skills. Applications should therefore demonstrate how the proposed project will directly support family carers and improve their wellbeing and confidence. Focus on Young Carers Family Focus also encourages applications that address the needs of young carers. Young people who take on caring responsibilities can face challenges affecting their wellbeing, social connections, education, and future opportunities. Projects should consider how support can reach young carers and help them access appropriate information, services, and opportunities. Reaching Families Who Are Hard to Engage The programme encourages organisations to develop clear strategies for reaching families who may be difficult to engage. Some families may not identify as carers, while others may be reluctant to seek assistance because of their circumstances or concerns about accessing services. Applicants should demonstrate how their projects will: - Identify families who may not normally seek support. - Engage families who do not identify as carers. - Reduce barriers to accessing support. - Build trust with families. - Connect families with relevant information and services. Who Can Apply?

Eligible organisations include:

- UK charities registered for at least three years. - Community Interest Companies established for at least three years. - Local authorities. - NHS bodies. Applicants should demonstrate that they have the organisational capacity and relevant experience to deliver the proposed project. Lived Experience in Project Design Projects must be shaped by people with lived experience. This requirement helps ensure that the design and delivery of projects reflect the real experiences and needs of armed forces families and family carers. Applicants should demonstrate how pe