The 'Opening Doors for Older People' Fund

The 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project is opening its doors to community and voluntary groups to help provide services for older people

• Who can apply?
• What can be funded?
• How much can we apply for?
• How do we apply?
• How are grants allocated?
• What is Opening Doors for Older People?

The Fund will offer grant amounts for groups specifically working with older people to support new and expanding services and activities which directly benefit older people in areas such as;

• Improved health and emotional well-being
• Improved quality of life
• Making a positive contribution
• Exercise of choice and control
• Freedom from discrimination and harassment
• Economic well-being
• Personal dignity and respect
  

Who can apply?

The Fund is open to any group or organisation for older people, whose objectives and outcomes are consistent with those of the 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project.

Funds unfortunately cannot be allocated to individuals.

What can be funded?

The aim of the 'Opening Doors for Older People' Fund is to provide groups and organisations the opportunity to deliver new, innovative and creative projects and services for older people, through an application process which is as clear and simple as possible.

The Fund is available for new initiatives, expansion of activities and the continuation of existing services and schemes.

Some areas of particular interest to the Project are;

• Home and garden maintenance services
• Personal transport services (volunteer based)
• Falls prevention
• Talk therapies and counselling schemes
• Healthcare, exercise schemes and healthy initiatives
• Home energy saving schemes and home & community safety initiatives
• Befriending and buddy schemes
• Social activities

The 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project is also keen to support other services and initiatives which may not be listed above and we would be interested to hear about any project or services you are able to offer older people.

The 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project is also happy to consider funding the purchase of equipment, and one-off events and occasions specific to older people.

Funds will be offered to projects that are able to demonstrate that the services they are providing, or intend to provide, are appropriate to the community and meet the needs of older people.

In addition projects must demonstrate that older people themselves are actively involved in planning and running the project or services being planned or provided.

Groups and organisations may make more than one grant application in any one year.

How much can we apply for?

The amount of funding applied for should directly reflect the type and level of Service, Scheme or Initiative being proposed.

Examples of each type and level could include:

• Initiative - The delivery of an one-off event or occasion to help raise awareness
  • for example healthy initiatives e.g. an older peoples' healthy living week
• Scheme - The expansion of a current community group to include additional activities, target audiences or services
  • for example a current activity to now include both male and females
• Service - The development of a new service
  • for example a home and garden maintenance service

Depending upon the level of monies being sought; further documentation and evidence may be required to assess the application.

The 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project is also happy to consider match funding in partnership with other groups and organisations.

How do we apply?

Groups and organisations wishing to apply for funding are invited to contact the Project for an informal discussion about both the 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project and Fund.

The Project is very interested to hear about the project or services, groups and organisations can provide and is more than happy to arrange a meeting with applicants to discuss further how these fit in with the outcomes of the Project and the needs of older people.

In addition the Project is happy to provide groups and organisations further information and advice in relation to services for older people, general project guidance and support in applying for funding.

To arrange a meeting, or to request an application, please use the contact details found at the end of this document.

All completed forms received by the Project will be acknowledged. On the acknowledgement letter there will be a Reference Number for future use with the project. Please use this number as a point of reference if you have any queries regarding your application and need to contact us.

Applications will normally be considered within 6 weeks of receipt of a completed application form.

How are grants allocated?

The 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project is working in partnership with Age Concern Tameside and is funded by the Department of Health, Tameside & Glossop PCT and Help the Aged.

To help make a decision on your bid application, the 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project has its own Bid Panel. The Panel is made up of members of Tameside's Older People's Partnership, Service Users and Project Staff from the Project.

The Bid Panel will make recommendations to the Programme Director for decision at regular meetings during the year.

The decision made by the Programme Director is final.

If unsuccessful, applicants do have the right to apply again.

Where appropriate the 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project will signpost unsuccessful applicants to other sources of funding.

Successful applications for funds will receive the funding after they have signed and returned a formal Acknowledgement of Funds, and any conditions attached have been agreed.

If available funds are heavily over-subscribed, successful applicants may be awarded funding for part of their application.

Funds will be paid by direct transfer to the applicant's nominated bank.

Funds should be spent without undue delay and according to the application.

All successful applicants are required to submit a report on the project and spending of the award. This report should briefly outline what has been achieved through receiving funds from 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project and the benefits to older people.

Please note this will also include evidence showing how outcomes and outputs related to the project have been delivered.

Finally in order to help promote the Project and all work funded, all successful applicants will be requested to forward any media / press-related coverage.

All of the above are specific conditions laid down by the Project.

If you require any further advice or information, would like to apply for funding, require help or support in applying for funding or would like an informal discussion about the 'Opening Doors for Older People' Project or Fund, please contact Janine Hilditch who will be happy to discuss or arrange a meeting with any group or organisation.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Opening Doors for Older People Project Ryecroft Hall Manchester Road Audenshaw M34 5ZJ View local map
0161 370 1179
0161 370 1183