The Older People’s Fund, Food and Fuel Small Grant Programme
/The Older People’s Fund offers funding for projects that are planned and run by and for older people. Originally called the Turkington Fund, it was created with financial support from NICVA via resources from Turkington and Seapark and is managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. The fund has grown significantly in recent years with additional investment from the Community Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies.
In June 2022 the Community Foundation met with a number of key stakeholders and called for the formation of an Executive to address the cost of living crisis.
As part of the Foundation’s commitment to being flexible and responsive we have agreed to review some of our funds with a view to supporting communities at this time.
Among the hardest hit by the cost of living crisis are older people. Older people are often on fixed income, and the rising cost of food and fuel has often led to having to choose between eating or heating.
The latest cost of living research from the charity found around 65,000 households aged 60+ in Northern Ireland will have insufficient income to cover their essential spending this year.
Around 25,000 (almost 40%) of pensioners here are currently living in poverty or just above the poverty line.
There are concerns that over the next few months and into the winter that older people will suffer further.
In recognition of the needs of older people, the Community Foundation has therefore developed a new Older People’s Fund, Small Grant Programme with a particular focus on food and fuel.
Groups supporting older people, can access up to £5,000 of financial support.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply your project must target at least one of the key priorities detailed below:
Supporting older people to keep warm.
Supporting older people to access a nutritious meal.
Reducing isolation and vulnerability of older people through supporting participation in activities.
Enabling older people to access technology, and to potential benefits and entitlements that they may not be aware of.
There is no deadline for application and maximum award is £5000. For more information and to apply, please visit The Older People’s Fund, Food and Fuel Small Grant Programme - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)