Accessibility Fund
We are delighted to announce the third round of our capital funding programme, the Accessibility Fund.
Grants are available from this fund to make spaces, which can be either indoors or outdoors, more accessible and welcoming for disabled people and people with mental health conditions.
What Can the Fund Support?
The Experts with Lived Experience who worked with us to design this programme decided that we should be aiming to fund ‘the whole package’: in other words, we don’t just want to fund the cost of an access ramp, or the widening of a doorway. We want to use this fund to support projects that address the accessibility of spaces in a wider, more complete sense. While we expect every project we fund will include an element of improving physical access to the space, we’d also like projects to include other features such as:
- A welcoming atmosphere – making sure disabled people feel that the space is truly ‘for them.’
- Sensory-friendly environments – improvements like clearer signage to support people with sensory conditions.
- Staff training – equipping people who work at the space with the knowledge and confidence to support disabled visitors.
- Clear visitor information – so disabled people know in advance what to expect when they arrive.
To apply for this fund, you’ll need to show that disabled people in your community have been involved in shaping your project. If your organisation doesn’t own the space, that’s okay—you’ll just need to provide evidence of security of tenure, such as a lease agreement.
Who Can Apply?
This fund is open to non-profit organisations including charities, Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, and community groups.
For your application to be successful, you’ll also need to provide evidence that disabled people within your local community have been involved in the planning and design of your project.
If your organisation doesn’t own the space you are using, you can still apply but we will need to see evidence of security of tenure, such as a copy of your lease.
Learn more about the Accessibility Fund
If you’d like to learn more about the Accessibility Fund, what projects we can support and how to apply, then sign up for one of our online drop-in sessions:
- Tuesday 17 February 3 pm
- Wednesday 18 February 11 am
- Monday 23 February 11 am
- Tuesday 3 March 2.30 pm
To join any of these sessions, please e-mail Ged Cassell, Funding Policy and Evaluation Manager: ged.cassell@barnwoodtrust.org.
Please contact Ged to discuss your project before making your application.
Deadline to apply
- Friday 27 March at 5pm
We recommend contacting Ged to discuss your project before applying – ged.cassell@barnwoodtrust.org
Further information
- Read our Accessibility Fund Funding Pack before making your application, and get in touch with us if you have any queries.
- Check our grants criteria to see how applications are assessed.
- Learn about our due diligence process.
- Before applying, read the Expression of Interest information to learn about the additional stage in the funding process.
Ready to apply?
Complete the Expression of Interest form below and e-mail Ged Cassell, Funding Policy and Evaluation Manager: ged.cassell@barnwoodtrust.org (Applications open from Friday 27th February)