The Sirona Foundation

Charity Number: 1154787

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Bath And North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £167,408 (2023-24)
  • Total Investment Since 2013: £1.6 million
  • Grant Range: Up to £3,000 (Small Grants)
  • Decision Time: Bimonthly meetings (end of Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)
  • Geographic Focus: Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with bimonthly deadlines

Contact Details

Email: sirona.foundation@nhs.net

Phone: 03001245330

Website: www.sironafoundation.org.uk

Address: Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9TR

Overview

The Sirona Foundation was established in 2013 as an independent registered charity and partner of Sirona care & health CIC. Since its founding, the Foundation has invested over £1.6 million to support health and wellbeing community projects across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The Foundation's mission is to support health and social care providers in offering better experiences for service users and improving wellbeing through funding community projects, vital equipment, and staff development opportunities outside normal funding sources. In their most recent financial year (ending June 2024), the Foundation had an income of £49,085 and made grants totaling £167,408, demonstrating their commitment to investing more than they receive through strategic use of reserves.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: Up to £3,000

  • Applications submitted by email to sirona.foundation@nhs.net
  • Bimonthly consideration with award meetings at the end of February, April, June, August, October, and December
  • Projects should be completed within one year
  • Currently not accepting applications (status may change - check website)

Medium Grants Programme: Amount not publicly specified

  • Designed to support larger community projects
  • Details available by contacting the Foundation directly

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects that demonstrate:

  • Improved health and wellbeing in local communities
  • Reduced health and economic inequalities
  • Greater independence and dignity for people
  • Projects co-created with service users

Recent funded projects include:

  • The Grace Period Project (free period products addressing period poverty)
  • Hillfields Community Garden (community engagement and wellbeing)
  • Sirona care & health Mouthcare Matters Project (oral health in care homes)
  • Knowle Dementia Allotment (gardening sessions for people with dementia)
  • Age UK Friends Ageing Better Service (combating isolation)
  • InterAct Stroke Support Hospital Reading Services
  • Childhood bereavement support resources
  • MAD HOOPS junior basketball club
  • Liveskills safety education program

The Foundation particularly encourages applications from frontline Sirona care & health staff for ideas that will create positive change.

What They Don't Fund

  • Staff salaries
  • Administrative costs
  • Ongoing operational expenses
  • Projects requiring permanent funding
  • Projects that do not demonstrate being “above and beyond” the financial capacity of Sirona care & health
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Julie Sharma (Chair)

A founding member of the Sirona Foundation who recently retired from her role as interim Chief Executive of Sirona care & health after working in the NHS for almost 47 years. Julie is passionate about “empowering local communities to improve the health and wellbeing of their residents.”

Gemma Richardson

Strategic communications expert specializing in public sector communications. Currently serves as Head of Communications for the Cabinet Office. Gemma volunteers with Babes on Waves, mentoring young women in business and marketing, and is passionate about making a difference and investing in local communities.

Deanna Berry

Registered Social Worker with 27 years of experience, currently serving as Health Equity and Inclusion Wellbeing Team Lead at Sirona Care & Health. She is a Core20PLUS5 Ambassador and is actively involved in numerous committees and community initiatives focused on multi-agency and collaborative EDI partnerships. Deanna is passionate about addressing the social determinants of health within culturally diverse communities.

Emma Anstey

Has a background in Law and has worked in Financial Services regulation for the last 5 years. Joined the Sirona Foundation Board in 2023. Emma is also a Co-opted Governor of a Bristol primary school and a volunteer researcher for a local museum.

Philip Kline

Brings 35 years of governance and compliance experience, supporting financial service companies.

Shaun Raper

Senior Programme Manager with experience across financial services, retail, telecoms, and corporate sectors.

Stephen Lambert

Has worked in the NHS for the past five years in roles encompassing acute NHS Trusts, Integrated Care Boards, and CCGs. Stephen is excited to be involved in projects which can have really positive impacts on local communities within Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants Programme (up to £3,000):

  1. Complete the application form available on the Foundation's website
  2. Submit application by email to sirona.foundation@nhs.net
  3. Applications must be received by the first of the bimonthly deadline months (February, April, June, August, October, December)
  4. Projects should be completed within one year

Note: The Small Grants Programme is currently not accepting applications. Check the Foundation's website for updates on when applications will reopen.

Medium Grants Programme:

Contact the Foundation directly at sirona.foundation@nhs.net for information about medium grant applications and requirements.

Eligibility

Applications can be submitted from:

  • Community organizations
  • Registered charities
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
  • Sirona health and care staff providing health and wellbeing services in the Sirona communities

The Foundation occasionally awards grants to individuals for items that support independence.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications are considered bimonthly
  • Award meetings held at the end of February, April, June, August, October, and December
  • Applicants should submit by the first of each deadline month
  • Notification timing is not publicly specified

Post-Award Requirements

Successful applicants must:

  • Submit a short monitoring report after project completion
  • Include before/during/after project information
  • Provide photographs with proper consent where applicable

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate “Above and Beyond”: All applications must clearly demonstrate that they are “above and beyond” the financial capacity of Sirona care & health. The Foundation exists to fund projects that cannot be supported through normal funding sources.

Alignment with Health and Wellbeing Priorities: Successful projects directly address health and wellbeing outcomes for local communities, with particular emphasis on reducing inequalities and supporting vulnerable populations.

Co-creation with Service Users: The Foundation prioritizes projects that are co-created with the people who will benefit from them, ensuring community-driven solutions.

One-Year Completion: Projects should be designed to be completed within one year, indicating a preference for time-limited initiatives with clear outcomes rather than ongoing programs.

Local Impact: Projects must benefit people in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. The Foundation has a strong track record of supporting grassroots, community-focused initiatives.

Frontline Staff Innovation: The Foundation "especially encourages front line Sirona care & health staff to apply with their ideas that will create a positive change," suggesting that applications from staff who work directly with communities are particularly valued.

Clear Monitoring: Applications should demonstrate how success will be measured and reported, including visual documentation where appropriate.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on local impact: Projects must demonstrate clear benefits for communities in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire
  • “Above and beyond” is essential: Make it clear why this project cannot be funded through normal sources and how it goes beyond standard service provision
  • Co-creation matters: Involve service users in project design and emphasize this in your application
  • Time-limited projects preferred: Design projects that can be completed within one year with measurable outcomes
  • Small grants currently paused: Check website for updates before applying to the Small Grants Programme
  • Frontline staff encouraged: If you work for Sirona care & health, the Foundation particularly welcomes your innovative ideas
  • Budget carefully: Ensure you're not requesting funding for salaries, admin costs, or ongoing operational expenses
  • Plan for monitoring: Be prepared to provide a monitoring report with before/during/after documentation and photographs

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