Lingen Davies Fund: Micro-Grants to Strengthen Local Cancer Support Networks
Micro-Grants to Strengthen Local Cancer Support Networks
Are you part of a community group, or looking to set one up, that supports people affected by cancer in the local area? Caring for a loved one with cancer or navigating life after a diagnosis can be an incredibly isolating experience, making peer-to-peer support networks absolutely vital.
To help sustain and grow these critical lifelines, the Shropshire Community Foundation has partnered with the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund to launch a £15,000 micro-grant programme. This fund is actively accepting applications from user-led community groups and voluntary organisations dedicated to connecting individuals living with or beyond cancer, as well as their families and carers.
Rather than funding short-term, one-off events, this specialised micro-grant is designed to provide local groups with the foundational stability they need to meet regularly, share experiences, and offer mutual support.
What is Available?
The scheme offers accessible micro-grants aimed at keeping local support networks thriving:
Grant Size: Up to £500 per group or organisation.
Total Fund Pool: £15,000.
Funding Period: The grant must be used to support activities that will be completed within 12 months of receiving the funds.
Who is Eligible for the Grant?
To ensure the funding reaches grassroots support spaces where it can make the most immediate impact, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Organisation Type: You must be an existing voluntary or community organisation, or have a clear intention to start a new peer support group.
Lived Experience: The group must be user-led or demonstrate clear evidence that people with lived experience of cancer are actively involved in shaping how the group runs.
Beneficiaries: Your activities must support individuals aged 18 and over who are impacted by cancer. This includes current patients, survivors, families, and carers.
Priority Areas: While open across the region, priority is given to groups operating in areas facing high deprivation, those working with communities likely to experience health inequalities, or areas where existing cancer support services are severely lacking.
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
The core focus of this initiative is to cover the practical, everyday running costs that keep regular support groups alive. Eligible expenses include:
Room and venue hire for regular meetings.
Refreshments for attendees.
Guest speaker costs.
Activities designed to strengthen connections between local groups and encourage peer collaboration.
Important Note: This grant is intended for operational costs and community connection. The funding cannot be used to purchase capital equipment. Additionally, groups must commit to holding regular meetings for a minimum of six months.
How to Apply
The grant scheme is permanently open, meaning groups can apply whenever they are ready to establish or secure their regular meetings. Successful applicants will be required to provide a brief six-month update and a final summary detailing how the funding benefited their members.
Beyond financial support, funded groups will also be welcomed into a wider network, receiving ongoing opportunities for training and peer collaboration with similar organisations across the region.
To review the full guidance and submit your application, visit the official Shropshire Community Foundation Open Grants Portal. For direct enquiries regarding the application process, you can contact the foundation team directly at info@shropshirecf.org.uk or call 01743 29 10 10.
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