Youth-focused charities invited to apply for grants, as latest SNG iwill Fund reopens
As Mental Health Awareness Week gets underway, SNG is pleased to launch the third round of the SNG #iwill Fund - Wellbeing Champions Programme (WCP), with grants now available to charities and groups looking to turbocharge their impact in their community.
Local organisations are invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to deliver a youth social action project focusing on mental health and wellbeing. Projects should empower young people aged 10–20 to become ‘Wellbeing Champions’ - equipping them with the skills and knowledge to advocate for themselves, their peers, and communities.
This latest announcement of funding builds on the success and legacy SNG has already started to create through the first two rounds of the SNG #iwill Fund. The funding also coincides with the recent relaunch of the SNG Youth Social Action Network which is designed to give more grassroots organisations the tools and expertise they need to develop more effective youth social action projects, where young people can really thrive.
Community is the theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week and it’s a topic which sits at the heart of SNG as it invests £3.5 million each year across its communities - championing many great causes, including those which empower young people.
Beyond the Bias is one organisation which has already benefited from the first round of the SNG #iwill Fund -WCP. Driven by a desire to improve mental health and tackle the lack of opportunities open to young people from ethnic minority backgrounds, they previously received a grant of £10,000.
One of the young people involved was Mia, a 16-year-old from Tower Hamlets in London, who joined the project seeking a way to understand and manage her own mental health challenges.
She played a key role in developing a “Mental Health Toolkit” specifically designed for young people in Tower Hamlets. These toolkits have been distributed throughout local schools, youth clubs, and community centres, providing young people with easy access to essential mental health resources. Her efforts have also left a lasting impact, and her school has started to incorporate mental health discussions into the curriculum, all thanks to Mia’s hard work.
Given the project’s success, SNG has provided a further £10,000 to Beyond the Bias to continue their work and support more young people like Mia to become Wellness Champions.
Speaking about her involvement Mia said: “Knowing I made a difference, is something I’ll carry with me for life.”
Ellie Cutler, iwill Project Officer for the SNG #iwill Fund said: “It’s a well-known fact that many young people can face a multitude of challenges, including low self-esteem and mental health issues. This is why we’re pleased to be launching the third round of the WCP, which is designed to give more young people the tools and skills they need to boost their confidence and wellbeing.
“Supporting the people in our communities through our comprehensive community investment offering has always been a key priority, and we’d encourage any eligible organisation who shares our passion for youth social action to apply today.”
In total, SNG is investing £1million into the WCP to create youth social action opportunities and support young peoples’ mental health and wellbeing.
Launched in 2022, the SNG #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to a £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high-quality social action opportunities. SNG is acting as an #iwill Fund match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund through the SNG #iwill Fund.
There are many ways for individuals and organisations interested in youth social action to get involved with the SNG #iwill Fund. This also includes those who may want to join the Youth Social Action Network, which is open to all relevant organisations, regardless of whether they apply for a grant.
Head to our SNG #iwill Fund webpage for further information, eligibility criteria, and details of how to apply for a grant. Applications will close at midnight on 12th June.
