RFAs: Community Lounge Grants Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 12-Oct-2026

The Community Lounge Grants Fund supports voluntary and community organisations in Stoke-on-Trent to establish, expand, or improve community lounges as inclusive spaces for wellbeing, social connection, and intergenerational engagement. Eligible organisations can apply for up to £10,000 for core, equipment, training, project, revenue, and event costs, with projects required to be completed within 12 months. What Are the Community Lounge Grants? The Community Lounge Grants Fund is an initiative supporting community organisations across Stoke-on-Trent to strengthen accessible spaces where residents can connect, receive support, and participate in activities. The programme builds on Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s existing network of Community Lounges, which provide local opportunities for engagement, wellbeing, advice, and social connection. Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant. What Projects Does the Fund Support? The fund is designed to support projects that make community lounges more accessible, inclusive, useful, and responsive to local needs.

Examples of eligible activities include:

Strengthening existing Community Lounge services. Expanding the range of activities and support available. Creating new community lounge spaces. Developing digitally enabled community spaces. Providing services outside normal operating hours. Creating intergenerational activities. Developing initiatives for care leavers. Improving opportunities for children, families, and young people. Introducing innovative methods of community engagement. Why Do Community Lounges Matter? Community lounges provide accessible local spaces where people can build relationships, find information, access support, and take part in activities. The programme aims to address challenges such as social isolation, loneliness, limited access to support, and reduced community participation.

Supported projects can contribute to:

Improved wellbeing. Stronger community relationships. Greater social inclusion. Increased independence. Better intergenerational connections. More opportunities for young people. Greater access to community-based support. Who Is Eligible? Applications are open to organisations that meet the programme’s requirements and operate in or serve Stoke-on-Trent.

Eligible applicants include:

Constituted voluntary groups. Community organisations. Registered charities. Social enterprises. Organisations must have been operating for at least 12 months. Applicants should also demonstrate how their project will benefit local residents and contribute to the objectives of the Community Lounge Grants Fund. National organisations without a local arm in Stoke-on-Trent. Groups that have been established for less than 12 months. Applicants should confirm their status against the latest fund guidance before submitting an application. Priority Areas Although the fund supports a broad range of community lounge activities, priority is given to projects benefiting children, families, and young people. Particular consideration may be given where young people have actively participated in designing or shaping the proposed project. Applicants should develop their proposal around a clearly identified community need and explain how the grant will create measurable benefits.

Step 1: Check Your Organisation’s Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation is a constituted voluntary or community group, registered charity, or eligible social enterprise that has operated for at least 12 months and works in Stoke-on-Trent.

Step 2: Identify the Community Need

Explain the issue your project will address. This could involve loneliness, social isolation, lack of accessible community activities, limited digital access, or insufficient opportunities for intergenerational engagement.

Step 3: Develop the Project

Describe what you will deliver with the funding.

Clearly explain:

Activities and services. Who will benefit. Where activities will take place. How the lounge will be improved or expanded. How the project will promote inclusion and engagement.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Provide a realistic breakdown of how the grant will be spent. Eligible expenditure may include core costs, equipment, training, revenue, projects, and events.

Step 5: Demonstrate Community Impact

Explain how the project will improve residents’ wellbeing, participation, independence, social connections, or access to support. If young people are involved in designing the project, explain how their contributions influenced the proposal.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the required application process and provide all requested organisational and project information. Successful applicants must deliver the project within 12 months of receiving the grant. How to Create a Strong Application A competitive application should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed project and local community needs.

Applicants should:

Identify a specific local problem. Explain how the community lounge will address it. Clearly identify the people who will benefit. Provide realistic costs. Demonstrate inclusive participation. Explain how the project will improve wellbeing or connection. Highlight young people’s involvement where relevant. Show how the project can strengthen existing community support. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying before confirming organisational eligibility. Proposing activities without demonstrating local need. Providing an unclear or unrealistic budget. Failing to explain who will benefit. Treating the grant as general unrestricted funding without a defined project purpose. Ignoring the fund’s emphasis on inclusion and community engagement. Failing to explain how young people have contributed where this is relevant. Proposing a project that cannot realistically be completed within 12 months. Key Facts About the Community Lounge Grants

Grant name: Community Lounge Grants Fund