Organisations invited to apply for the Carers Social Action Support Fund

Organisations can apply for the Carers Social Action Support Fund to help grow social action projects that support unpaid family carers.

A carer is anyone who looks after, unpaid, a friend or family member who cannot cope without their support. This may be due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.

There are 5.4 million carers in England and 1 in 3 of us will become a carer at some point in our lives. Carers providing round-the-clock care are more than twice as likely to be in bad health as non-carers (Census, 2011): 70% of carers caring for 50 hours or more a week have a long-standing health condition, compared with 51% of non-carers (GP Patient Survey 2013).

About the fund

The Carers Social Action Support Fund of up to £1 million is part of the Centre for Social Action. The fund will be run by the Social Investment Business (SIB) on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Organisations who are looking to build on, or adapt, inspiring social action projects to help carers can apply for funding.

Criteria and how to apply

Successful organisations will need:

• a strong track record of helping carers;
• enthusiasm for measuring the impact of their services; and
• the capacity to quickly build on existing services.

Applications are sought from the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, public bodies and businesses. They should have a social mission or an objective to increase social action, or they should be involved in providing public services.

Download the application form here.

Read the guidance notes and send your completed application to satcorrespondence@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk by midday on 22 October 2014.

Click here to view frequently asked questions.