Grants for physical activity providers
This grant scheme helps fund activity providers to give people with Parkinson's more opportunities to get and stay active. In 2024 Parkinsons UK is able to provide grants of up to £3,000 to support physical activity projects for people with Parkinson's all over the UK.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
be based in the UK
have a business/community bank account as funds cannot be transferred into a personal account
Where applicable, provide evidence of your articles of association, constitution or other relevant governing documents (this doesn’t apply to organisations that are set up for profit)
consult with their local Parkinson’s UK staff (contact information is provided on the grants webpage). Parkinson’s UK colleagues are not there to help with writing your application, but may offer information and support by connecting you with people with Parkinson’s, linking you to existing networks or advising on provision and community priorities or needs in the area ensure that all relevant qualifications are held and insurance is in place prior to delivery of the project
Projects must run for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months and must start within 3 months of receiving the grant.
Eligible Expenditure
You, or your group or organisation should tell us how an award will help people with Parkinson’s become and stay active, or help people increase their levels of physical activity. This will need to be by running new activities or increasing participation - and you’ll need to show us the impact of this at the end of the project.
We want to see how your project will reach and engage with a wide range of people with Parkinson’s, especially those who may be from the following groups:
Newly diagnosed
Young onset
People and groups seen as ‘under represented’ - including socially isolated, not digitally connected or ethnic communities
People who are not engaged with Parkinson’s UK
People who are inactive, or active at low levels
People who are still working
The project must last for a minimum of 3 months
Up to 100% of costs are available if required (if the criteria is met and to a maximum of £3000)
As part of the application process you must consult with local Parkinson’s UK staff (contact information is provided on the grants webpage). Parkinson’s UK colleagues are not there to help with writing your application, but may offer information and support by connecting you with people with Parkinson’s, linking you to existing networks or advising on provision and community priorities in the area.
Examples of the types of projects and activities this fund will support include:
Expanding activities/classes etc. to include people with Parkinson’s (for example an existing class for people with long term health conditions)
Buying equipment that will facilitate or enhance activities (for example, people want to try indoor curling so the award will fund the purchase of equipment)
Essential maintenance or replacement of equipment that will lead to greater participation or increased impact (for example, an indoor archery set is too old to be used properly, so the award would pay for the kit to be refurbished or replaced)
Facility hire (for example, as part of your bid you may need to hire gym space or a studio)
Coaching fees (for example, you may need to pay for a trainer to deliver the activity you wish to set up)
Specific training (for example, a volunteer gaining a coaching qualification to enable sustained delivery)
Developing community activities that demonstrate a pathway into sustained activity (for example, you may wish to work with an organisation to enable their activity to be accessible for people with Parkinson’s)
Helping people to access Parkinson’s specific online support to become more active (for example, an organisation offering help people to become active at home in a structured and safe way)
How to apply
You will need to contact your local PUK staff contact in the first instance.
Please find the contact details on our Map of Parkinson’s UK Local Staff Contacts. Please ensure that you contact the relevant local staff of the area you propose to deliver in. They can provide you with local insight and support you with evidencing the local need for your project.
Applications are submitted through a google form on our grants page. An Application Form Checklist is available to support you with completing your application form. If you require the application in another format please contact physicalactivity@parkinsons.org.uk
Once you have completed and submitted your application, and received an acknowledgement email, it will take approximately 9 weeks for you to be notified about the decision on your application and a further 5 weeks to receive the payment. A panel of Parkinson’s UK staff will assess applications against set criteria and your application will be shared with the relevant local Parkinson's UK colleagues as necessary.
Useful Links
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/grants-physical-activity-providers