Community services bring support into familiar places. This priority focuses on the relationship between local knowledge, accessible services and the people using them.
Start with local knowledge
A service may be nearby without being easy to use. Opening hours, travel costs, language, confidence and accessibility can all affect whether someone receives support. Listening to people who encounter those barriers helps clarify the problem a project needs to address.
A service map is a useful starting point: who already provides support, where gaps remain, and how a person moves between services without having to explain their situation repeatedly.
Explore community foundations
UK Community Foundations provides a directory of foundations serving different areas. Use it to find the appropriate local organisation and then consult that foundation’s own information about giving, funds and grant opportunities.
Make the route to support clear
A programme page should explain the location, eligibility, accessibility and next step in plain language. If a referral is necessary, people need to know who can make it and what information is involved.
A strong project description also explains how it works alongside existing services and how people can offer feedback. This site does not currently provide referrals, casework or a grants application portal.
Content reviewed 8 September 2026 · Official