News article

Stay Well this Winter is now open for applications!

Stay Well this Winter is a partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council Public Health. Now in its 16th year, grants awarded through this fund focus on helping people to stay warm and well during the winter months and enable community organisations to reduce the adverse effects of winter on people’s health.

Key information

• We actively welcome more applications from, or benefitting, people under-represented in our grant making, for example LGBTQIA+, ethnically diverse, d/Deaf or disabled people.
• Priority will be given to proposals supporting people experiencing multiple vulnerabilities, including but not limited to:
   - People experiencing homelessness Low-income households (<£30k)
   - People living with disabilities
   - People experiencing mental health challenges and learning disabled people
   - Marginalised or isolated people 
   - Children
   - Older people
   - Pregnant women
• Applicants must include signposting and referrals to other support services (as appropriate) in their proposed activity plans.
• Core/management cost contributions can be included in proposed budgets, to a maximum percentage of 15% of the grant request. The need for these costs must be clearly explained.

Examples of activity that can be funded

All activities must be delivered over the winter period, and only additional winter (not pre-existing) activity can be funded.

• Practical hands-on support for vulnerable residents who are isolated due to winter weather or illness, e.g. doorstep delivery of food, transport, shopping, etc.
• Welfare/befriending visits and/or calls
• Awareness raising and advocacy for winter vaccinations including how to access and eligibility
• Games, crafts, culture or other activity to engage people with wellbeing services and increase social connection
• Outreach for homeless people or rough sleepers, including warm clothing and bedding distribution
• Tailored or individualised winter wellbeing packs including information and equipment
• Proactive initiatives or groups to engage “new” people that may not have had access to information before beyond existing service users

Grant size: up to £3,000

Location: Leeds

Duration: Winter 2026/27 (Oct 26-Feb 27)

Deadline: 28/07/2026 at 12 noon

Decisions: October 2026

Read more and apply here