Background

Thanks to National Lottery players, Camden Giving has received more than £400,000 of life-changing funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. In partnership with Barking and Dagenham Giving and Islington Giving, we will use the funding to leverage our deep local expertise and community networks to address London’s health inequalities. Each London borough - Barking and Dagenham, Camden, and Islington - will pilot distinct initiatives, from co-designing healthy food funds to scaling resident-led mental health funding and inspiring active citizenship in healthcare access. The collaboration aims to transform health project funding through participatory decision-making and support residents to sustainably shape local health solutions beyond the grant process. 

This has been awarded from The National Lottery Community Fund’s new You Decide programme - involving communities directly in decisions about funding good causes. You Decide is key to the funder’s efforts to put community power, agency, and control at the heart of its funding in England - supporting communities to live happier, healthier lives. This truly life-changing funding has been made possible by National Lottery players.   

So how are we using this fund?

This fund has been created by a group of 9 Camden researchers and the wider Camden Giving Alumni to improve the wellbeing of Camden residents from global majority backgrounds by reducing isolation and helping people access the support they need to thrive.

This fund is for organisations in Camden bettering the mental health of our communities, delivering activities which center therapy/ therapeutic activities. Projects must provide a minimum of 8 sessions per beneficiary.

All grants will be £10,000, with an additional 10% (£1,000) to support staff wellbeing. This recognises the importance of looking after the people who support our communities, as well as the people who benefit from their work.

How to apply

Applications close on Wednesday 18th November 2026 at 12:00 PM (Midday).

We will only fund organisations whose primary focus is of the following criteria:

Organisations delivering either talking therapy or therapeutic activities that help residents build connections, improve their wellbeing and feel supported.

Applicants must demonstrate how they will reach people who are furthest from accessing therapy, and how they will create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people feel comfortable seeking support.

You can apply in a language that suits you using the button below. Applications close at midday (12:00 PM) on the 18th November