LFT Charitable Trust: Reach and Reconnect Grant Programme

Overview

Context of Reach & Reconnect Grantmaking Programme

Studies have found that social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased risks for a range of physical and mental health issues. According to the World Health Organisation, social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with an estimated 1 in 4 older people experiencing social isolation.

Engaging in meaningful and productive activities with others, improves mood, boosts cognitive function, fosters a sense of purpose and may even extend lifespan. A review of 148 studies examining the protective effect of being socially connected, found that social connection increases odds of survival by 50%.

Despite the very many excellent social, educational and recreational opportunities provided by the Community and Voluntary sector, many older people remain socially isolated and experience loneliness.

Objective of the Engage Grantmaking Programme

The aim of this LFT Grant making Programme is to reduce social isolation and loneliness for older people not currently being reached by existing initiatives.

They believe there is a gap in research at a local level to identify how best to reach and engage those most at risk of social isolation and hope this programme can offer some insight into this.

This grantmaking programme will support organisations to: –

1. conduct community research on why some older people, who may be at risk of social isolation, do not participate in community activities and;
2. deliver an engagement programme that will reach out and reconnect older people in their area with new and existing community-based activities.

The rationale for this approach is to avoid continual funding of social opportunities for the same engaged people within a community and through gaining insight, support organisations to reach out within their locality to more effectively reach those that remain isolated.

Funding

LFT is offering grants of up to £6,000 (£500 for research and £5,500 for project delivery) for programmes or initiatives that will engage new participants, who may otherwise be vulnerable to social isolation, to participate in existing, or new, community-based activities.  

Eligibility

LFT welcomes applications from prospective Grant Partners that meet the following criteria:-

• Grassroots community based organisations
• Projects must be delivered in Northern Ireland.
• Project beneficiaries must be aged 50+.
• This fund is for the identification of new Grant Partners only. LFT Grant Partners currently in receipt of a grant need not apply.  
• Organisations must have the capacity to complete the Research project within 16 weeks of any grant award and no later than 24th July 2025 (as mentioned above).
• Project delivery cannot extend beyond 31st May 2026.

Preference will be given to organisations working in rural areas.

Project delivery must occur between September 2025 – May 2026.Deadline