Grants to Carers’ Groups

Birmingham Carers Association (BCA), in partnership with Birmingham Carers' Support Services (BCSS) and Birmingham Social Services Department (BCC), is able to offer grants to Carers' Support Groups within Birmingham.

These grants are to enable Carers' Support Groups to arrange group social events or activities that will provide carers with a short-break from their caring responsibilities. This could be a coach trip, group meal out, theatre trip or other such event/activity that may be decided upon. They can’t however be used to support regular carers meetings or to pay for speakers to attend.

The Executive committe of Birmingham Carers all applications and you will be notified of the result of your application. If a grant is refused the Carers Support Group can, if they wish, ask for the decision to be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Carers . The fund is extremely limited and it may be necessary to turn down a grant due to the fund being exhausted at the time, in the event of this happening then the group may reapply later in the year.

Please make sure we receive your Application Form at least 3 months prior to the event date.

Please also note –

The Executive meets at the end of each month

Grants will be paid by cheque to Groups who have a bank account of their own. Groups without bank accounts can ask BCSS to administer the grant on their behalf or you can nominate another group or organisation that you work closely with to administer it on your behalf.

No grant cheques will be issued to individuals.

Carers' Support Groups can receive only one grant in any one financial year (April to March) and all activities must take place during the financial year that the grant is provided.

Grants will be calculated at £10 per carer. If the Group have to cancel the activity/event for any reason, Birmingham Carers must be advised as soon as possible, so that a decision can be made regarding the grant. Birmingham Carers may request the repayment of any money that has been used inappropriately or not according to the application.

We will be providing £10 extra, this is for some photographs of your event. We will require some photographs to publicise the scheme and for other appropriate purposes. Please indicate on the application form your agreement or otherwise to this request. Forward us some photographic proof either in the form of negatives, index prints or a full set of photo’s.