Carers in Birmingham Benefit from a Small Grant Fund
Unpaid Carers consistently go above and beyond to support their loved ones—quietly and often without financial reward. To recognise and uplift this vital contribution, Forward Carers launched a small grants initiative that enabled Carers to come together for shared wellbeing and respite.
Grant Fund Overview
Forward Carers managed the fund, with support from Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Children’s Trust, and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB). This collaboration empowered 105 groups of unpaid Carers to design and deliver meaningful activities that enhanced wellbeing and strengthened social connections across the city.
The fund offered grants of £50 to £500 for groups of at least four unpaid Carers who applied jointly. Eligible applicants included unpaid Carers aged 18 or over, living in Birmingham, and registered with Birmingham Carers Hub. Whether forming a new group or applying through an existing network, Carers used the funding to foster peer support, boost wellbeing, and create opportunities for respite—ranging from art workshops and spa sessions to shared days out.
What is the NNS?
The Neighbourhood Network Schemes (NNS), funded by Birmingham City Council’s Adult Social Care, played a pivotal role in delivering this programme. Each of Birmingham’s ten constituencies hosts a dedicated Neighbourhood Network, typically led by voluntary or community sector organisations. These networks support adults over 18 to live happy, healthy, and independent lives within their local communities.
By partnering with the NNS, Forward Carers extended the fund’s reach across the city, ensuring that Carers from diverse backgrounds and neighbourhoods could benefit.
Bringing Carers Together
Although the grant programme has now concluded, its impact continues through Birmingham’s Carer community. At the heart of the initiative lay not just financial support, but human connection—bringing Carers together to reduce isolation, share lived experiences, and access moments of respite.
98% of Carers said the activity had either a substantial or slight positive difference on their wellbeing and made them feel more socially connected. As one Carer said it had a positive impact ‘Just doing something they wouldn’t normally do’. Another Carer said, ‘Time away from caring responsibilities’ helped them ‘feel more energized and better able to cope with the demands of their role’.
This blog series highlights the creative ways in which Carers used their grant funding.
