Grants ranging from £500 to £3,000 are available for schools, youth groups, non-profit organisations, and charities to support recreational trips or holidays within the UK for groups of disadvantaged or disabled children 13 years old or younger. Applications from the 20% most deprived areas in the UK will be given priority. The grants can cover up to two-thirds of the total cost of a holiday or trip, lasting from one to seven days. The Henry Smith Charity is offering the funding, and applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the scheduled trip or holiday. Applications for trips between 1 October and 31 December 2026 can be submitted until 19 November 2026. Applications must be made at least 6 weeks before the trip. More detail here.

The Research Friendly Spaces project, part of Raising Voices in Research (RViR), aims to bring more research into trusted community spaces.

Health and care research helps improve services, treatments and outcomes, but opportunities to take part are not always accessible or inclusive. By working with community venues, we can help researchers engage with people and communities who may otherwise face barriers to involvement.

Grants available! - Organisations that take part in the project may be eligible for a £200 grant to support their involvement.

RViR Research Friendly Spaces is funded by NIHR South Central Regional Research Delivery Network.

Find out more through an introductory session on 10 October - 15.00 - 15.45. More information at this link.

The funding will support projects that help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, including initiatives focused on:

• Violence against women and girls

• Serious violence prevention

• Anti-social behaviour

• Reducing offending and reoffending

Last year, 47 projects benefited from the fund, supporting vulnerable young people, reducing contact with police and helping individuals achieve positive outcomes through education, training and employment. Applications close on 16 October 2026, with successful projects receiving funding from April 2027. Further detail at this link.

To be eligible for funding, the female coaches you put forward must meet the following criteria:

• Aged 16+ (or 18+ depending on specific course eligibility).

• Already coaching girls or would like to start.

• Part of a club or group with women and/or girls’ provision where they would like to begin or continue coaching (e.g. current player, parent of a player, volunteer etc).

• Can undertake their coaching qualification within 12 months (subject to course availability).

How much can we apply for?

You can apply for £200 to cover the cost of a Level 1 or equivalent introductory qualification and any additional safeguarding and first aid requirements for your sport. You can apply to upskill up to two female coaches at your club or group (2 x £200 grants per club).

What are the open and closing dates for the fund?

The fund is already open for applications and is due to close on 4 November 2026, but may close earlier if there a lot of applications. More details at this link.

• Music, dance and singing

• Outdoor activities & teambuilding

• Sport

• Educational excursions

• Widening academic achievements

Applications can be submitted at any time.

• Testing will run from 10:00 to 14.00 with 250 places available at Odiham Cottage Hospital, Buryfields, Odiham, RG29 1NE.

• Men between 40 and 80 years of age, who have not been tested in the last 12 months are welcome to book a place. 

• Note if you have been previously tested, your last test results would have come with guidance on how long to wait until your next test as yearly testing is not needed.

More detail at this link.

Time & Location: 11 Oct 2026, 14:00 – 17:00 - Yateley United FC - Sean Devereux Park, Chandlers Lane, Yateley GU46 7SZ

About the event: Race Across Yateley is a brand-new community fundraising event which will bring people of all ages together for a day of adventure, teamwork and fun while raising funds for two local charities. Solo runners or teams of 2 to 4 will travel around Yateley, completing challenges at themed checkpoints before returning to the Event Village at Yateley United Football Club. The afternoon will also include a Junior Explorer Challenge for younger children, entertainment, activities, local businesses, food and drink, and an awards ceremony. £12 per person. More information at this link.

Venue: The Bridewell, The Bury, Odiham, RG29 1NB

Day/time: Mondays 17.00-18.30 term-time only

Age: 8 - 13 years

Activities: arts & crafts, games & activities, socialising, tasty tuck shop

Free entry. More detail at this link.

• Improving physical and mental health 

• Helping with economic hardship 

• Easing cost of living pressures

• Improving sense of community belonging

Full details and the application form are available at this link. Closing date to apply: 31 October 2026.

William Maltby, High Sheriff of Hampshire said: 

Probably the greatest privilege of being High Sheriff is the opportunity to visit the charities and organisations across the county doing incredible work to strengthen local communities and support the vulnerable.

My theme for my High Sheriff year is sport for the young and disadvantaged, especially where it aids crime prevention. I have been welcomed by many wonderful community groups doing exactly this in all parts of Hampshire and offering a range of different sports. Many of these organisations have evolved into offering mentoring for particularly vulnerable young people. Witnessing them transforming lives has been deeply moving. The High Sheriff awards are a great opportunity to recognise the efforts of these organisations, and other individuals and organisations making a difference to their local communities.

Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO, commented:

We want to celebrate the many ways that sport can create opportunities, build confidence and connections, and lead to real, lasting change. If you know an individual or organisation making a difference in this way, we would encourage you to make a nomination.

The nomination form can be submitted online at hiwcf.org.uk by 4pm on 18 December 2026. 

The awards will be presented by the High Sheriff at a ceremony in March 2027. 

If you would like to see the National Climate Emergency Briefing film ahead of this event, then there are 2 showings on Monday 5 October:

Church on the Heath, Elvetham Heath - 14.00 - 16.00 https://churchontheheath.churchsuite.com/events/tqubvtjg

Fleet Film, The Harlington, Fleet - 20.00 - 22.00

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/fleetfilm/2426179

1 October - In person 

The Auditorium, The Harlington, Fleet

GU51 4BY: 18.00-19.30 Book your place

5 October - In person

Farnham Heath End School, Farnham

GU9 9BN: 18.00-19.30 Book your place

8 October - Online public webinar

18.00-19.30 Book your place

You can also contribute your views via the online survey - full details including more detail about the proposed plans at this link.

Closing date to respond - 12 October.

Benefits of running your own campaign on Big Give include: 1. Make your donations go further, 2. Use a trusted platform built for match funding, 3. Simple campaign set-up, 4. Reach new audiences and 5. Get support every step of the way.

Here’s what The Brain Tumour Charity had to say:

Having a donation doubled is a real incentive, even more so in the current financial climate. We have some donors who have specifically asked to be notified should we host similar campaigns in future, as they were so thrilled to have their gift doubled.

Click here to find out more about running your own campaign.

Joining is easy. Because the VP App is a private space, the charity asks every new member to apply so they can make sure it stays safe, supportive, and truly personal. Once approved, you’ll get full access to the app and everything inside. Further information at this link.

Caroline Baker, Senior Patient & Family Advisor:

 When a loved one dies, talking to others who have also experienced bereavement can help people feel that they’re not alone,

Caroline is one of the team who helped set up the Listening Lounge, a monthly informal bereavement support group for anyone whose loved one died from a terminal illness, regardless of how recently or long ago that was. The Listening Lounge does not offer formal counselling, but rather is a place where bereaved people can come to talk about their loved one and find solace in the company of others. Initially held solely at the Beacon Centre in Guildford, on the 2nd Monday of every month, Listening Lounge sessions are now offered at the new Hospice in Farnham on the 4th Monday of the month.

Eligibility: Clubs and organisations affiliated to their governing body (the Trust names England Boxing, the National Association of Clubs for Young People (now known as UK Youth) and the Football Association as examples), based in England. Further detail at this link.

Who can apply?

• 13-25-year-olds

• If you study, live or work in Hampshire and Isle of Wight

• You can apply by yourself, with a friend, or part of a group (like your school council, youth group, student union)

• You must complete your project by end of March 2027

Deadline 5 November 2026.

More detail at this link.

When: Tuesdays, 10.00-11.00. (Next 6 weeks available delivered by coach Darren starts 6 October and women can book into as many or few sessions as they wish).
Where: Hurricane Training, 154a Fleet Road, Fleet, GU51 4BE (behind Sugarplum Boutique on the High Street)
Cost: Free, thanks to Sport England funding

No boxing experience is needed and all fitness levels are welcome. These are non-contact sessions and gloves are provided. Women can take things at their own pace and are given the opportunity to build confidence and connections over time. To book please use this link or please contact Rebecca Stewart on 07892 708775 for more information.

courses@itchen.ac.uk

When: Thursday, 29th October

Time: 10:00 – 11:30

Where: Yateley Industries Community Hub, Mill Lane, Yateley (GU46 7TF)

Cost: £5 per child (includes all materials & kids' refreshments!)

Age: 4+ (Adult supervision required)

Perfect for complete beginners or kids wanting to refresh their artistic skills!

Booking link here.

• Identifying heat loss through windows, doors and external walls.

• Checking if your radiators which are in need of repair or maintenance.

• Finding out if you have any areas lacking fitted loft insulation.

Equally, a thermal imaging visit could help you confirm that the energy efficiency improvements you have made to your home are working well.

Use this link to register your interest for an appointment. Appointments are offered on weekdays between 17.00 and 20.00 and should take a maximum of one hour to complete. It is recommended that our volunteers take images externally and internally, however taking images inside your home is optional.

You are welcome to chat to our volunteers as they go around your property to find out more about the images they are taking, but please note that our volunteers are not able to give you advice. At the end of the visit, our volunteers will offer you printed information provided by Hart District Council about how to interpret your thermal images and sources of support to help you “retrofit” your home, including grants.

We will send you copies of your thermal images by email, and let you know about opportunities to discuss home energy efficiency solutions with an independent energy advisor provided by other local charitable services, and hosted at our Hart Eco Hub in Hart Shopping Centre in Fleet.

Please also see the Impact Hart website www.hart.gov.uk/impact-hart for tips on how to make your home greener and more energy efficient.

Last winter we helped just over 150 households in Hart review the energy efficiency of their homes – we would love to be able to be to the same during this coming winter!