Wellbeing grants

What is a wellbeing grant?

A dictionary definition of wellbeing is 'the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy'.

The purpose of a Police Care UK wellbeing grant is to give the opportunity to improve the physical and mental health of serving police officers, staff and volunteers across the UK by enabling and encouraging local initiatives that support wellbeing. Our wellbeing grants offer additional funding specifically for extracurricular initiatives and activities that you feel would be beneficial to you, your teams and your police force.

Police Care UK wellbeing grants aim to:

Improve the understanding of how physical health impacts mental health
Increase understanding of mental health issues amongst police officers and staff
Increase number of different services available that support officers’ and staff wellbeing

Why do Police Care UK fund wellbeing grants?

Police Care UK is committed to reducing the impact of harm on police and families. We believe that caring for their people is the duty of every police organisation. Our role is to compliment this care and help identify gaps through targeted services, projects and programmes.

As part of our commitment to reducing the impact of harm on police and families, we provide funding for local initiatives designed to improve overall wellbeing at force level.

The maximum amount which may be awarded to police forces is £3,000. Applications for smaller amounts are encouraged.

Guidance

There are three main types of project this fund will support, and we have produced some guidance on each of these below

Pioneering projects guidance

There are so many brilliant ideas for improving wellbeing within policing, which is why we're always looking to support new initiatives. Find out more

Sports association and physical activity guidance

Physical activity boosts mental resilience, improves overall performance, and can aid with physical recovery. That's why we fund projects that improve access to physical activity.

Wellbeing spaces guidance

Police Care Rooms are a vital part of our wellbeing agenda. They enable colleagues to take some time for themselves and decompress.

Frequently asked Questions

What will you fund?

We will consider funding:

Staff costs (including sessional staff)
Volunteer costs
Equipment
Training courses
Events to support the wellbeing of police officers and staff (excluding travel costs of beneficiaries)
Refurbishment of facilities which are clearly demonstrated to contribute to the health and wellbeing of officers and staff

What is the assessment criteria?

The Board of Trustees will be looking for, but not limited to, the following aspects of a grant proposal:

The originality of the idea and strength of the project concept
The potential impact the project will have on police officers and staff
The feasibility of the project and quality of the project management
Whether the project offers value for money
The evaluation plans and how any learning gained might be shared for the benefit of the wider police family

What will you not fund?

Core or ongoing running costs
Overhead allocations
Costs of undertaking a Workplace Wellbeing Charter gap analysis
Capital works that add value to a publicly owned asset (eg force estate)
Statutory responsibilities
Overseas travel expenses
Personal debts
Grants to individuals
Legal costs
Redundancy payments

Who can apply for an assistance grant?

If you meet the following criteria then you can apply for an assistance grant:

Serving or veteran police officer, staff, or volunteer (including cadets and special constabulary) from any police force in the UK (43 territorial forces in England and Wales, Police Scotland, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Ministry of Defence Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, British Transport Police, National Crime Agency (and its associated units and teams), ports police, and the parks police).
Family member who are (or in the case of a deceased police officer, staff, or volunteer, were at the time of death) financially reliant upon the police officer, staff or volunteer. This includes:
- A spouse, civil partner, or partner (in the case of cohabiting couples, this must have been for a minimum period of 12 months). In the case of former spouses/partners, each case will be considered on its own merit.
- A child (including a step or adopted child or grandchild where parental responsibility exists) of the qualifying police officer, staff, or volunteer who is either:
  - under compulsory school age
  - under 25 and in full-time education, or
  - requires ongoing care for a phsyical or mental impairment
- Other family members by way of birth, marriage or civil partnership

How much funding is available?

Up to £3000 is available for a wellbeing grant. All awards will be made on merit. Limited funding is available and therefore applicants are encouraged to clearly state the need for the funding, the anticipated benefits and how you will evidence the success of the initiative. All grants are awarded at the discretion of trustees.

In the event of more than 1 application per force area being submitted it is unlikely that more than 1 grant will be awarded.

How do I submit an application?

Anyone within your force can submit the application, but it must be signed off by a senior officer (Superintendent rank or higher) before it is submitted. Incomplete forms without the necessary authorisation will be rejected.

Wellbeing grants are only available to police forces.