Independent Advocacy Social Care Fund: form and guidance

Funding

The overarching aim of all projects must be to use independent advocacy to support people to express themselves and have their voices heard within the local social care system.

What you can apply for

You can apply for a grant of up to £50,000.

There is limited funding available so only ask for what you need. In the application form you will be asked to provide a detailed breakdown of all project costs.

We will accept joint bids. Each organisation can only bid for one project, whether jointly or on their own.

Any funding allocated must be used between April 2026 and the end of March 2027.

Eligible costs

You can use funding to pay for costs directly related to the project, for example:

• salary costs (relevant percentage contribution only)
• venue or office rental (relevant percentage contribution only)

• workshop materials
• travel costs (for staff or advocacy partners) where justifiable
• reasonable adjustments to allow people to participate (such as might be required, for example, for some disabled people or for those needing interpreters)

Ineligible costs

You cannot use funding for the following:

• capital costs
• revenue-raising activities
• consultancy fees or subcontracting
• alcohol
• costs for which funding has already been secured from another source
• to repay loans or debts
• travel abroad
• activities promoting a particular faith or a political party
• costs that do not directly support and enable delivery of the project outcomes, such as general organisational improvements, notional costs or contingency costs
• any employment costs arising from the grantee’s legal obligations to its employees, for example any cost that can be recovered from HMRC including, but not limited to, parental leave, sick leave, redundancy
• staff relocation costs
• costs incurred outwith the funding period
• insurance costs
• recoverable VAT