An annual programme offering grants of up to £7,500 are available to dementia clubs, memory cafes and for carer support in England, Scotland and Wales. Applying organisations, which include registered charities, constituted community groups and Community Interest Companies, must have an annual income of under £250,000 and be working in an area in which older people are affected by deprivation.
The 2026 deadline was in March.
The McCarthy & Stone Charitable Foundation has announced that it will be awarding grants to dementia clubs and memory cafes in England, Scotland and Wales, all of which play a vital role in supporting people in their communities. Grants of up to £7,500 are available for either core costs (please note that CICs are excluded from applying for core costs) or projects, with no requirement for matched funding.
Approximately 20 applicants are expected to be funded in this round. Applicants must have an annual income of less than £250,000.
Applicants must be working with adults aged 65 and over, providing services that support:
- People living with dementia, and/or
- Their carers
This may include services such as dementia memory cafés, dementia clubs, or carer support courses.
Applicants should evidence local need and ideally be working in an area where older people are affected by deprivation. Please note that priority will be given to organisations working in areas with higher levels of deprivation affecting older people.
The Foundation will refer to the following indices when assessing applications:
- England: Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI)
- Wales: Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD)
- Scotland: Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)
Applications outside these areas are still considered, but higher priority is given where local need is greater.
Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Foundation’s website.