The Blurred Line Foundation

Please read the Essenital Information before applying. 

The Blurred Line Foundation was founded in 2018 by Lewis Baxter, who following a period of major depression, was keen to support and promote the work of local mental health charities, organisations and groups working in the Ribble Valley.  Lewis and a team of fellow mental health advocates organised a successful ‘Ribble Valley mental health awareness day’, which enabled almost 1000 people to meet and obtain support from local mental health charities and groups.  The evening fundraiser attracted 150 people and the funds raised on the night have kick-started the grant making of the Foundation.

 

What is the focus of the fund?

Projects that aim to support and assist people with mental health problems.  

 

How much is available: Grants of up to £750 (total budget available of £7500)

 

Who can apply: Registered charities, social enterprises, community groups with a constitution or set of rules in the group’s name.

 

Which areas are covered: Ribble Valley

 

Any special criteria:

• All activity must be for the benefit of Ribble Valley residents (any age groups). Groups based in other parts of Lancashire are welcome to apply provided work takes place in the Ribble Valley or they can clearly demonstrate Ribble Valley residents are the beneficiaries.
• Projects should specifically focus on improving the mental health of beneficiaries. Physical activities and social activities can be considered if the application can clearly demonstrate the benefits to the mental health of its users
• Priority will be given to smaller grassroots organisations who may struggle to access external funding
• Applications may still be considered from larger organisations depending on the strength of the project against the fund criteria but they will need to demonstrate that their project will not go ahead without external funding and they will be a lower priority against the smaller organisations

 

Costs that may be funded: This fund can consider operational costs for projects and ideas such as sessional fees, equipment, volunteer expenses and room hire

 

Examples of the sorts of projects that may be funded:

• Exercise classes for the older age group
• Projects that help reduce isolation and loneliness
• Self-help groups
• Counselling sessions
• Peer mentoring projects with a focus on mental health and wellbeing 

• Projects that look to achieve a positive mind-set change around mental health, e.g. awareness raising projects
• Projects tackling the issue of bullying with young people
• Family support projects to help parents prevent the development or escalation of mental health problems in their children

• Support for families suffering from emotional trauma/in crisis

 

 

Documents which need to be included with your application:

1. A copy of the group’s rules or constitution
2. Names and addresses of the current management committee
3. A copy of the group’s latest annual accounts or income/expenditure document
4. A copy of a recent bank statement for your group
5. A copy of the groups’ current Safeguarding Policy. All applicants must ensure that they hold relevant policies and procedures in place to undertake activities, such as Criminal Records Bureau checks and/or a health and safety policy, depending on proposed activity. If unsure about what you need please contact the Community Foundation for help.

 

NB: If you have applied to us previously and have already submitted copies of the above documents within the last 12 months, you do not need to send them in again. However, a bank statement is required if more than 6 months have passed since the previous application.

 

The following items cannot be supported via the fund:

-           Statutory organisations or work that is their responsibility, but we can fund voluntary and community groups associated with a statutory group for work outside of their remit

-           National organisations that cannot demonstrate local governance and control of local finances

-           Commercial ventures

-           Activities that will have already taken place before we offer you a grant

-           Politically connected or exclusively religious activities

-           Projects for personal profit

-           Organisations that are set up solely for the benefit of animals or plants: groups that work with animals or the environment to benefit people are acceptable

-           Groups comprising just one family or organisations that have less than 3 unrelated management committee members/Directors/Trustees

-           Debts and other liabilities

-           Reclaimable VAT

-           Travel outside UK

 

What happens next?

Completed applications are considered by Community Foundation staff to check eligibility. You may be contacted for more information after applying and the donor will make decisions based on the fund criteria and the budget available.