Big Lottery Fund

Summary of the programme

Note: This programme is now closed for new applications

Under our AdvantAGE programme, we are making £20 million available for projects across Wales working with people over 50.

While many older people view ageing as an opportunity and an exciting new life chapter, for others old age brings with it new challenges and key life changes which, without support, can appear daunting and isolating.

The outcome of the programme is:

To improve the quality of life of older people by providing access to befriending or advocacy services.

Programme priorities and themes

We want our money to make a difference. All projects applying to the AdvantAGE programme need to meet the following outcome:

• The results of evaluation demonstrate the impact and promote the development of advocacy and befriending services.

In addition, projects must meet 2 of the following outcomes:

• Reduced loneliness and increased wellbeing through improving social interaction
• Increased confidence and ability to meet the challenges and opportunities of ageing
• Increased understanding and use of rights and awareness and uptake of services leading to greater independence and choice for older people

If you are a voluntary and community sector organisation and your project meets the programme's outcomes listed above; then you may be eligible to apply for grants of between £200,000 and £1 million.

We expect AdvantAGE to be a competitive programme and we may receive more applications than we are able to fund. If we decide not to support your application, it does not mean that we do not value the work that you do.

Are you eligible?

You can apply to the AdvantAGE programme if you are:

• a voluntary and community organisation
• or a statutory organisation forming part of a partnership bid where the statutory organisation is not the lead applicant

What to do next

• Find out more about the programme in our questions and answers section
• Read our programme guidance notes 
  - 264KB which will give you more detailed information in the AdvantAGE programme and how to apply.
• Take our eligibility test to determine whether you meet our programme criteria.
• Not eligible for a grant under AdvantAGE? Look at the other funding programmes available.

Contact

Big Lottery Fund
2^nd Floor
Ladywell House
Newtown
Powys
SY16 1JB

Phone: 01686 611700

Fax: 01686 621534

Textphone: 0845 6 02 16 59

Email: advantage@biglotteryfund.org.uk