Comic Relief have launched a £1.5 million fund to engage older people aged 65 and over from ‘harder to reach’ groups to get involved in opportunities which use their skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to their communities. Comic Relief are looking for proposals which put older people at the centre of the work, designing and developing activities or opportunities which meet their needs, interests and priorities. 
Comic Relief anticipate making between 15-25 grants across the UK, and the total amount of funding available is £1.5 million.
This funding programme is specifically targeting older people who don’t usually participate in volunteering or social activities because they are from a disadvantaged community, or face other barriers to participating. Applicants will be asked to provide information to demonstrate they have a good understand of the needs of the older people they’re working with, and a clear plan about how to address the barriers. Comic Relief are willing to meet the additional costs of supporting people to participate where necessary e.g. by providing accessible transport costs.
Social action is about people coming together to help improve their lives and solve the problems that are important in their communities. This may include activities around campaigning and fundraising as well as volunteering, all of which can create a double benefit for communities and the older person themselves.
For the activities to have positive benefits for the older people involved, they should:
• Provide meaningful roles with opportunities for social interaction and leadership
• Ensure that older people are recognised and valued for their contribution
Comic Relief are looking for creative, fresh approaches and are unlikely to fund standard lunch clubs, 1:1 befriending models or applications to run community transport schemes. Comic Relief are interested in organisations that already coordinate activities by and for older people that can demonstrate a need to engage with a ‘harder to reach’ group of older people. Or you could be an organisation that already works with disadvantaged older people that wants to bring a new twist or approach to your work.
Proposals are welcome for between £40,000 and £80,000 for up to three years for work in the UK.
For further information and to apply, visit: www.comicrelief.com/grants/initiatives/active-ageing-creating-change-communities
Deadline: Tuesday 29 August 2017, 12:00