The Deptford Challenge Trust (DCT) is a charitable trust that makes grants to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in a defined area of Lewisham, which covers Deptford and parts of New Cross (please see the map on the DCT website). DCT started out as part of the national City Challenge regeneration programme in the mid-1990s when part of the funding was invested in student accommodation. Rental income from the student accommodation is still providing income to DCT and is used to provide grants to support voluntary and community organisations for activities within the DCT area. The Trust’s grant-making programmes are managed by The London Community Foundation.
For more information about the Deptford Challenge Trust and its work please visit www.deptfordchallengetrust.org.uk.
Themes
Applications are welcomed for projects which work with residents of any age, gender and ethnic background, under the following themes (Applications may address one theme or multiple themes.):
1. Education and skills – helping those who need extra support to either stay in education or return to it later in life, in particular:
- Initiatives aimed at preventing exclusions in school
- Increasing attainment in local schools in particular between KS1 and KS2
- Work supporting Gypsy / Roma children
- Supporting migrant and new communities to access ESOL and digital literacy skills.
2. Community cohesion and social inclusion - celebrating the diversity of the DCT area and welcoming new arrivals into the community, in particular:
- Celebration events or skills sharing activities that focus on the diversity of North Lewisham
- Information, Advice and Guidance including housing and homelessness support
3. Health and wellbeing – improving the health and wellbeing of residents including mental health, in particular:
- Young Black men
- Older people at risk of isolation
- People from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds
4. Strengthening the DCT area – building capacity and connecting local organisations, creating a stronger, more resilient voluntary and community sector. In particular:
- Projects building collaboration and professional networks in the local voluntary sector
- New ways for organisations to share information, resources or skills
5. Crisis support – to provide services to support people in poverty or crisis in the DCT area. Particularly:
- Foodbanks and community meal providers which show strong collaboration or collocation with other support services or which offer mobile support to hard to reach households
- After school activities providing access to food
- Debt or financial advice services targeting older people
Proposed activities must benefit residents of the DCT area (please refer to the map). Projects based outside of the area must have a clear recruitment plan for engaging residents of the DCT area
Grant size
Grants of between £1,000 and £30,000 are available towards core costs, capital costs or project costs.
How to apply
To apply to this fund, please take a look at the fund guidelines and application form guidance by clicking on the buttons below or at the top right-hand side of the screen and then clicking on the 'Apply now' button.
In response to applicant feedback the Deptford Challenge Trust is trialling a two stage application process. Initially all applicants should complete a short online form which gives basic information about the proposed work. The DCT Board will review these proposals and invite those which best fit the fund priorities to submit a full proposal, budget and supporting documents.
Deadline
Midday Friday 13th February (no late submissions will be accepted).
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to chat through anything relating to the fund or your application, please contact us on 020 7582 5117 or at applications@londoncf.org.uk
You can also contact the Programme Manager for this fund, Sam Smallcombe, 020 7582 5117 or sam.smallcombe@londoncf.org.uk