The Cragwood Fund (small grants programme) makes grants to charities and community groups addressing disadvantage, with a focus on homelessness and older people, with preference for those working in West Sussex.

Grants of up to £5,000 are made and applications should be on our General Awards standard application form here.

Time to Talk Befriending were awarded £5,000 from the Cragwood Fund in 2021. They are a befriending charity, helping older people to overcome loneliness through long-lasting friendship, connection and engagement. In 2020 research, members and volunteers told them what the lockdown felt like for them and how the befriending model can help move them forward in the future. This grant supported the charity to steadily absorb the growth so they could ensure the befriending model stays quality focused and manages the increase in complexity because of, for example, decline in mental health of members and an increase in referrals for older people living with dementia in the community.