Community Chest Fund Information Event

Calling Voluntary and Community groups working in Barking & Dagenham!

Join us to find out about the new round of Community Chest Funding which is available in 2026.

Applications are now open for Expressions of interest in receiving the fund - this event will answer any questions you might have about the funding before finishing off your application.

We want you to take part in a participatory budgeting exercise with other local groups, which will determine what is funded through the Social Prescribing Community Chest fund.

Come to our information event on Friday 16 January 2026 at Barking Learning Centre to:

· Meet and develop partnerships with other B&D community organisations (including for joint bids)

· Understand how and when applications for funding will work.

Background: NHS North East London is funding a Social Prescribing Community Chest initiative across all of the Place-based Partnerships in North East London, including Barking and Dagenham. The total value of the Community Chest in Barking and Dagenham is £90,000 – comprising of £45,000 from NHS North East London which is match funded by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

These funds will be directly re-awarded during March 2026, with selected grantees providing social prescribing activities as part of the Community Chest. We are especially interested in supporting small groups, with annual incomes under £60,000 and groups working with and led by people with protected characteristics. These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Core criteria:

1. Equality, diversity and inclusion – supporting those who are left behind or not well provided for by the current offer

2. Capacity building – strengthening your organisation’s capability to deliver projects

3. Existing Social Prescribing needs – how your proposal should support and compliment local social prescribing needs in Barking & Dagenham.

4. Evidence – showing the impact of your work and sharing your good work with others

Important dates:

• 16 January 2026 09.30 to 12.30: Community Chect Information Event @ Barking Learning Centre
• 2 February 2026 5pm: Closing date for Expressions of Interest to apply for the funds
• 6 March 2026 09.00 to 17.00: Participatory Budgeting Pitching Event @ Barking Learning Centre
• March 2026: distribution of funds and start of funded activities including starting of evaluation process
• March to August 2026: completion of activities and end of evaluation

If you are a voluntary or community sector group working in Barking & Dagenham and would like to find out more about this opportunity please book a place for our January event where we will set out the process for participation and funding.

Attendees should note that places are limited and that participation will be remunerated (1 per organisation) with the requirement that strong engagement with the process is mandatory and that funding for individual projects is not guaranteed

Any questions please email Y29tbXVuaXR5Y2hlc3QgfCBsYmJkICEgZ292ICEgdWs=

Also check out other Sports events in Barking.