Community Partnership ABCD Micro Grant Awards
Backing local, asset‑based projects that improve population health and wellbeing across Bradford & Craven.
Section 1 About the Grants
Application amount:
The Community Partnership would welcome grant applications up to £2,500.00
Total funding available: £17,589.40
Applications open: Wednesday 8 July 2026. Noon
Closing date for applications: Sunday 9 August at 11:59pm.. Applications received after this time will not be accepted.
Delivery period: 6 to 12 months
What area does Horton & City Health Collaborative CP cover? City; Little Horton (joint); Manningham (joint)
All projects should take an asset-based approach – this means building on the strengths, skills, connections, and resources that already exist within communities, rather than focusing only on what is missing. We want to support activity that values local knowledge and lived experience, and that empowers people to be part of the solution. (Click here for more information).
Funded activities should also help to ease pressure on statutory health services. This might include:
- Improving health and wellbeing through community-led activity.
- Offering early or preventative support that stops issues from escalating.
- Creating positive alternatives to more formal or clinical services.
To make sure funding is shared fairly and reaches a wide range of groups, we normally award just one grant per organisation per financial year. This helps ensure opportunities are spread across different organisations, communities, and ideas.
What is Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
Asset Based Community Development is about recognising and building on the strengths that already exist in a community. In health, that means working with local people, groups and networks to improve wellbeing, prevent illness and reduce inequalities, rather than only focusing on problems or service gaps.
In health terms, ABCD means improving health with communities, not simply doing things to communities.
For example:
A traditional approach might say:
“This area has high levels of diabetes, so professionals need to deliver more diabetes education.”
An ABCD approach might say:
“Who in this community is already supporting healthier cooking, walking groups, peer support, food growing, faith-based wellbeing, or trusted conversations about health? How can we support those local strengths to help people manage diabetes?”
Other health-related examples:
Mental health: Instead of only referring people into services, ABCD might support local peer groups, men’s talking groups, creative groups, bereavement cafés, walking groups, or community connectors who already know isolated residents.
Frailty and older people: Instead of seeing older people only as service users, ABCD recognises that many older people have skills, stories, social networks and leadership. A local lunch club, gardening group, chair-based exercise session, or neighbour-checking network could all support prevention.
Childhood immunisations: Rather than just sending formal letters, ABCD might work with trusted parents, community champions, faith leaders, schools and local groups to understand worries, share accurate information, and create safe spaces for questions.
COPD or long-term conditions: A community centre, local walking group, singing group, welfare advice service, or peer support group could help people stay active, reduce isolation, manage anxiety and connect to practical support.
Health inequalities: ABCD helps because people are more likely to engage when support comes through trusted relationships and familiar places, not just formal services.
Compliance (why it matters)
In order to apply for ABCD funding we are requiring all applicants to complete Compliance checks.
Incorporation (Click here for more information)
Having a legal form (e.g. CIO, CIC, Company limited by guarantee) gives your organisation its own legal identity and helps protect personal assets of trustees/members.
Insurance (Click here for more information)
Public Liability – covers injury or damage to the public/property during your activities.
Professional Liability – covers harm or loss linked to advice or professional services you provide.
Employer’s Liability – legally required if you employ staff (minimum £5m cover; most policies provide £10m). Not required for volunteers‑only groups, but good practice to ensure volunteers are covered via PLI or extended ELI.
DBS clearance (Click here for more information)
We require all funded projects to have the appropriate level of DBS checks in place for their staff and volunteers. This is to help ensure the safety and protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who may take part in funded activities.
Safeguarding accreditation (Click here for more information)
We require all funded projects to have appropriate safeguarding policies and accreditation in place. This ensures that organisations are equipped to recognise, respond to, and report concerns about the safety of children, young people, or vulnerable adults. It also demonstrates a clear commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and trustworthy environment, giving confidence to participants, communities, and partners.
These checks aren’t meant as barriers; they are to build a safer, stronger foundation and trust with partners like our NHS partners. Putting these checks in place will help protect our provider partners (you), and the people you are supporting.
Section 2 Health Priorities
All Community Partnerships require that:
- All funded activities must relate to the stipulated health priorities.
- Activties should support a particular cohort with higher health needsthan the general population in the CP area AND/ OR provide early intervention or preventative support relating to known risk factors for the local population to stop issues escalating in the short to medium term.
- All funded activities should be suitable for referral by social prescribers or other local NHS services.
Horton & City Health Collaboration Community Partnership (Click here for more information)
HCHC (CP6) are inviting applications that aim to support people around the following health priorities:
Health Priority 1. Health promotion activities for young people
Example: An ABCD approach might build on the skills, interests and voices of young people themselves. For example, young people could help design peer-led health messages around vaping, healthy eating, physical activity, relationships or emotional wellbeing, using youth clubs, schools, sports groups or creative activities they already engage with.
Health Priority 2. Prevention of Chronic Disease
Example: This could build on existing community spaces, local knowledge and trusted relationships to support healthier lifestyles. For example, community groups could use existing lunch clubs, walking groups, faith settings or cooking sessions to promote prevention messages around diabetes, heart disease, COPD, blood pressure, smoking or cancer screening.
Health Priority 3. Support for mental health
Example: An ABCD approach would recognise the value of peer support, lived experience and trusted local spaces. For example, community groups could use existing coffee mornings, men’s groups, women’s groups, arts activities, walking groups or faith/community venues to reduce isolation, encourage conversation and connect people to support.
All funded activities must:
- Relate to one or more of the above health priorities.
- Be suitable for referral by social prescribers or other local NHS services and/ or VCS partners
- Support a particular cohort with higher health needs than the general population in the CP area AND / OR provide early intervention or preventative support relating to known risk factors for the local population to stop issues escalating in the short to medium term
Section 3 Basic Criteria
Alongside Community Partnership 6 (HCHC) health priorities (section 2) the following basic criteria should be evident and clearly demonstrated in your application.
Activity that strengthens health, wellbeing, and community capacity
We are looking for projects that improve physical and mental health, promote social connections, and build on community strengths. The aim is to create sustainable activity that supports people earlier, reduces isolation, and makes communities more resilient.
Projects rooted in the Community Partnership area
Applications must come from groups or individuals with a clear base or proven track record in the relevant area. This ensures funding supports local people and communities directly.
Priority driven
Each Community Partnership has agreed health and wellbeing priorities. Funded activity must show how it will contribute to at least one of these priorities, helping to tackle local challenges and support better outcomes for residents.
Data sharing
How we use and share application information.
As part of the funding process, we may need to share certain information you provide (such as project details, monitoring information, and evaluation findings). This is always handled in line with data protection rules and UK GDPR. Information is only shared where necessary. For example, we may share data with:
- The Community Partnership Leadership Team – to review applications and monitor progress.
- NHS and local authority partners – to show how projects are contributing to local health and wellbeing priorities.
Section 4 Key requirements
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Before any grant money can be paid, successful applicants will be asked to sign a short Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This document is not complicated or legalistic – it simply sets out the key expectations and responsibilities of both the funder and the funded group. Signing it helps make sure everyone is clear, accountable, and protected. Once the MoU is returned, funds can be released promptly so that activity can begin.
Reporting
We ask all funded groups to complete two short reports – one at the mid-point and one at the end of the project. Simple templates are provided, focusing on outcomes, learning, and stories. These reports help us see the difference your project makes and inform future funding decisions.
Funder acknowledgement
When sharing news about your project – through social media, posters, websites or events – please include an acknowledgement of the Community Partnership’s support. This raises awareness of local investment and celebrates the value of community-led health and wellbeing. We’ll provide the correct wording and logos to make this simple.
Need help?
If you have any problems completing the form, please contact the Grants Manager as soon as possible. We’re here to help.
david@thevcsalliance.org.uk
07865 599209
