FAQs

Funding for this project comes from central government's Accelerating Reform Fund. The Department of Health and Social Care provided councils across England will ringfenced funding to develop innovative solutions for issues experienced by unpaid carers. The Carers' Community Fund is one part of a larger project aimed at improving experiences of unpaid carers across East Berkshire. Funding for this project does not come from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's own budget.

Anyone can submit an application as part of the Carers' Community Fund. However, project ideas must be based in the Royal Borough and must focus on improving the lives of unpaid carers. 

Groups/organisations do not have to be registered charities but must have a constitution, and a bank account in the name of the group, with at least two unrelated signatories. Residents must have a bank account in the name of the group.

Groups/organisations must have the appropriate policies and procedures in place, including appropriate financial record keeping and insurance to safely deliver their idea/project. There is no need to provide evidence when applying for funding, but we may ask for evidence if you are successful in your bid. If you do not meet the criteria above but have an idea, please talk to us. Ideas from new or emerging groups, or from individuals wishing to form one, may be considered if there is an opportunity to ensure you can meet the requirements outlined above.

The Carers Community Fund will total £15,000 and will offer up to £1000 to each project idea. Depending on individual circumstances and needs, RBWM reserves the right to increase this amount, on a discretionary basis. Applicants are encouraged to think carefully about how they will spend the money as this will form an important part of the application. Applicants can also apply for less than the maximum amount.

If your application is successful, you will be expected to submit a brief monthly report about the development and success of your project. You will also need to report how you have spent the funding.

You can download the application form on this webpage and email it to jennifer.hardy@RBWM.gov.uk by midnight 14th March 2025.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria, with higher-scoring applications more likely to be successful.

• Innovation – is this a new/innovative idea? Does it address a need or gap in the current offer to unpaid carers in RBWM?
• Unpaid carers in RBWM – how does the project demonstrate support to unpaid carers living in RBWM? 
• Core criteria – does it offer support for a specific type of carer (parent, young, dementia, SEND)? Is there evidence that this project will support the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers?
• Sustainability – does the project have a good understanding of how to make this idea sustainable? Will it continue to deliver outcomes after the end of the funding period?
• Measuring outcomes – is there evidence of measurable outcomes/evaluation?

The shortlisting panel will consist of officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Local Authority. It may be necessary to share information about your idea/project and discuss your application with other professionals/organisations. On applying for the funds, you are agreeing to allow the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Local Authority to share your application with other funding and advisory organisations and to speak to others about your project in this way.

 All applications will be considered, and you will be informed if your application has been successful no later than the week commencing 7th April 2025. 

Decisions made by the funding organisation are final, and feedback for unsuccessful applications will be given on request. Appeals can be made by contacting jennifer.hardy@rbwm.gov.uk in the first instance and the decision which is final will be confirmed by Jesal Dhokia, Interim Assistant Director Quality, Performance and Communities.