Grants of up to £15,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations across the UK, including Community Interest Companies and schools, for projects that involve swimming and water and give children and young people aged 18 and under a better start in life.
Based just outside of Exeter, Devon in Clyst St. Mary, the Children’s Alliance (the Water Babies Foundation) has recently been established to give children and young people access to water-based activities and swimming. This can be in the form of:
• Swimming lessons.
• Transport to lessons.
• Water activities that support mental and physical health.
• Specialist swimwear and
• Other similar projects. (Grants are given to individual projects).
The overarching aim of the Alliance is to build life skills among children and young people aged 18 and under through water-based activity, enabling them to develop the skills and confidence to realise their potential as adults.
While grants of up to £15,000 are available, most grants are, however, expected to be for significantly lower amounts. Organisations working at a grassroots level within communities are likely to be prioritised.
Applicants must have a constitution or set of rules, a Safeguarding policy and their own bank account.
The Trust has operated one round of grants so far, supporting a number of initiatives to ensure children and young people can experience the benefits being in water can have.
Further information, guidance and an application form, which should be downloaded and submitted by email, is available on the Charity’s website (scroll down to the foot of the page to the heading "Apply for Grant Funding").
Applications may be made at any time and are considered in the Spring (March) and Autumn (September).