Derbyshire Voluntary Action

Derbyshire Voluntary Action is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1134329).

Derbyshire Voluntary Action is a registered charity that exists to promote and protect good health for the public, particularly in Derbyshire, and to promote the voluntary sector. It runs grant programmes for voluntary and community groups, including Health and Wellbeing Grants, of which 32 were awarded in the year, and Start-Up Grants, of which 5 were awarded to seed new community-led initiatives. The annual report gives £236,129 paid in total, which may include grants to individuals, and the split between programmes is not stated.

Priority Areas

Derbyshire Voluntary Action administers grant opportunities for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and community-led groups in Derbyshire, with some schemes also open to schools. Its stated aims include strengthening communities, improving mental health and wellbeing, and supporting grassroots action. The grants support projects promoting health and wellbeing, social connection and inclusion, as well as local environmental improvements and smokefree community spaces. It prioritises responses to health inequalities and projects that strengthen connections and community support. It also uses grants to help smaller organisations build capacity and partnerships, and to develop locally led activities that respond to community needs.

Themes

• Health and wellbeing
• Social connection
• Environmental sustainability
• Smokefree spaces

Geographic Focus

Derbyshire; Bolsover; Chesterfield; North East Derbyshire. Not funded: Derby City.

For the Health and Wellbeing Grants, applicants read the guidance notes, evaluation form and application questions, then apply online; a downloadable form may be emailed to grants@dva.org.uk, with online submission preferred.

Deadlines: Applications for each round must be submitted by its closing date.

Application windows:

• Health and Wellbeing Grant: Closes on 30 October
• Warm and Welcoming Spaces Grant: Opens on 21 September, closes on 19 October
• Derbyshire Grant: Opens on 14 September, closes on 23 October
• Smokefree Community Grant: Opens on 23 October, closes on 23 November

Who can apply:

• Health and Wellbeing Grant
  • Be a non-profit voluntary and community groups based in, or delivering activities in Bolsover, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire. Have a management committee, a governing document, and a bank account in the group’s name.
  • Provide latest signed accounts or estimated income and expenditure for new groups.
  • Hold appropriate insurance (public liability insurance and if applicable, employer’s liability) and have relevant safeguarding or governance policies. Provide written confirmation if insurance will be covered by a third party. Newly formed groups must demonstrate a plan to meet these requirements.
• Smokefree Community Grant: Organisations applying must be a not-for-profit VCFSE organisation, be formally constituted, support Derbyshire residents, have appropriate safeguarding, insurance and health & safety arrangements in place, provide inclusive, non-judgemental environments, and have complete control of their own site.

What to send:

• Health and Wellbeing Grant
  • Latest signed accounts or estimated income and expenditure for new groups.
  • Written confirmation if insurance will be covered by a third party.
  • Detailed grant expenditure breakdown; insurance company name or quote; income and expenditure details or annual accounts (for new groups, estimated income and expenditure).
• Warm and Welcoming Spaces Grant
  • The dates and times the Warm Space will be open and a full breakdown of the costs.
  • Information about your organisation and the community you support; location of the Warm and Welcoming Space; proposed opening days, times and dates; venue capacity and anticipated visitor numbers; planned activities and additional support; amount of funding requested and breakdown of costs.
• Derbyshire Grant: Complete an application form.
• Smokefree Community Grant: Complete an application.

What the charity says:

• Health and wellbeing projects are encouraged to build social connections, reduce loneliness and improve mental and emotional wellbeing.
• The Derbyshire Grant particularly favours projects with an inclusive environment and strong community engagement.
• Warm-space applications should show local partnerships and community engagement.