Cambridgeshire County Council’s Public Health team has launched seed funding under its “Health for All” approach, offering grants of £5,000 to £25,000 for community groups and charities working with people who face the greatest barriers to healthcare. The fund targets inclusion health groups — those who experience multiple, overlapping risk factors for poor health — with the aim of closing gaps in wellbeing across the county.
The application deadline is 5:00 PM on Friday 14 August 2026.
About the Funder
This funding is delivered by the Cambridgeshire County Council Public Health team as part of its “Health for All” approach — a strategy focused on helping everyone be as healthy as possible while reducing differences in health between communities. Rather than funding services broadly, the council is targeting resources at groups who are consistently underserved by mainstream healthcare.
What the Fund Supports
The seed funding is aimed squarely at preventing inclusion health groups from experiencing worse health outcomes. Eligible projects should benefit one or more of the following groups:
- People experiencing homelessness
- Migrants in vulnerable circumstances
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
- Sex workers
- People in contact with the justice system
- People experiencing problems around drug and/or alcohol use
- People subject to modern slavery
- People who have experienced domestic abuse
- Children looked after (CLA) and/or care leavers (CL)
Ideas can be brand new, early-stage, or already in progress. The council is particularly interested in projects that promote early intervention and prevention, help people navigate services, provide community-based support and connection, improve confidence, skills or wellbeing, address wider factors like housing, debt or isolation, or offer outreach to people not currently supported.
Funding cannot be used to replace existing core services or fund a project already funded through other routes — though it can add value to existing work or help test new approaches. A strong application will be grounded in local knowledge, evidence and/or lived experience, and should be able to show what difference it will make, with learning or benefits that last beyond the funding period.
How Much Is Available
Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 are available per project. Projects should start within three months of receiving funding and must end before 31 March 2028.
Successful applicants will need to create a project plan with milestones, provide quarterly progress updates, report on funding use and delivery risks, and complete a final evaluation and case study to help share learning with the council.
Who Can Apply
This funding is open to community groups, charities, and local organisations based in Cambridgeshire and working exclusively or predominantly with Cambridgeshire residents (excluding Peterborough). The council particularly welcomes applications from:
- Smaller organisations
- Groups that may not usually apply for council funding
- Projects led by, or co-designed with, local communities
If you don’t have a business bank account, you can consider partnering with another lead organisation to apply on your behalf.
The Application Process
Applications are submitted online via a Microsoft Form, with a Microsoft Word version available for drafting your answers in advance. Before applying, read the additional guidance document linked below.
The council is offering a drop-in session for anyone who wants to talk through their idea before applying, on Wednesday 15 July, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. You can book onto this session, or ask questions at any time, by contacting the Public Health team.
Applicants that are unsuccessful can request feedback on their submission.
Key Dates
- Drop-in support session: Wednesday 15 July 2026, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
- Application deadline: 5:00 PM, Friday 14 August 2026
- Outcome notification: Week commencing 14 September 2026
