Grants database

Founded by Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma, the Black Health Activists Mentoring & Empowering Network (BHAMEN) is a new organisation that aims to develop a network of Black health activists to empower communities to access health services. This grant supports the development of the first BHAMEN network in London and the South East, with the intention of rolling out to the rest of the UK, alongside development of an online platform.

Several Seats aims to promote mental health in women within the community that identify as minority ethnic. Their mission is to inspire, empower and educate in order to improve the community and bring about a more united, inclusive society. This grant supports a mentorship scheme which will champion young BAME women facing complex academic and professional transitions within the mental health sector. The scheme will enable mentees to lead community and institutional change in mental health services and students and aspiring psychologists will be offered a range of opportunities for learning, development and networking.

Polly for Women aims to provide a support helpline and webchat for women and girls in the UK. This grant supports a three-month pilot of Polly in Greater Manchester which will provide a safe space run by and for women, and information about services supporting women’s safety and needs.

Plant Paradise aims to connect volunteers with planting projects on a global scale. This grant supports the development of the Plant Paradise online platform that will connect volunteers with planting projects, to help accelerate the much-needed restoration of our natural world. The platform will make it easy for organisations to advertise planting events and simple for volunteers and groups to search for local projects to join.

Pell Ensemble is a creative and collaborative company making digital experiences that connect people to themselves and the world around them. This grant supports Pell Ensemble to collaborate with U Can Too and Emma McFarland to develop a programme that combines dance and digital to test how to teach computer fundamentals in a new and engaging way.

Noah Parslew is developing Speak-Easy, a predictive text-to-voice application designed to help people communicate, enhancing their quality of life and independence. This grant supports the development of an online version of Speak-Easy, and to test its use in schools as a way to support young people with speech, language and communication needs.

Michael Ojo is an artist, creative director and teacher. This grant supports Michael to develop and pilot a new music curriculum through 20 music masterclasses for professionals, academics and students in music schools. It teaches African-American vocal training, its influence on contemporary music and roots in music therapy. This pilot will help test, adapt and improve the curriculum, solidify school participation, and help strengthen the case for accreditation.

Inclusion Labs creates impactful programmes that work towards embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into young people’s educational, cultural and personal development. This grant supports Inclusion Labs Schools develop a programme to make schools more inclusive for every child, particularly those from underrepresented groups or lower socio-economic backgrounds.

SIDQ is a community platform developed by Ikram Hirse that amplifies and supports Islamic institutions by cultivating safe, transparent and sustainable communities through showcasing available Islamic provisions and services. This grant supports the development of the platform as a centralised digital community hub to provide a safe space for individuals to find the services they need.

Happy Smiles is a profit-for purpose training provider, inspired and driven by disabled young people. This grant supports Happy Smiles to build upon their work in schools to offer bespoke support for young disabled adults who are transitioning from education, either looking for employment opportunities or otherwise don’t know what to do. They will be testing their project idea by trialling it with a group of local young adults in Wigan.

Amanda Walters is a community campaigner who wants to create a broad alliance of trade unions and community organisations to create change for cleaners in the UK. This grant supports the early stages of the UK’s first Labour Community Alliance for the cleaning industry in the UK.

Yorkshire Sound Women Network (YSWN) enables the artistic and technical development of women and gender minority people through access to resources, skills-sharing, and creative opportunities. This grant supports YSWN to create more opportunities for women and gender minority people to creatively engage with sound and music technology. The focus of this work will be the continued development of grassroots community-led groups; online workshops and networking sessions; a skills development offer for its pool of freelance Associates; and increased evaluation measures.