Dementia Inclusive Singing Network

NEW small grants round announced!

Funding Opportunity: Small Grants Programme

The Dementia Inclusive Singing Network helps people living with dementia to take part in singing activities across Scotland, and supports leaders and organisers of singing groups and choirs to be dementia inclusive. Our Small Grants programme offers small pots of money to groups or individuals that provide participatory singing activity for people affected by dementia, or are looking for funding to start a new group.

We recognise that the impact of the pandemic and resulting lockdowns is still ongoing so this fourth round of funding aims to support and encourage singing groups who have returned to face-to-face or hybrid (a mixture of face-to-face and online) singing sessions or who are taking steps to start activity again.

Our Grants Programme is funded by the Life Changes Trust and Creative Scotland’s Recovery Fund for Organisations.

Who can apply for a Dementia Inclusive Singing Network Grant?

You must be a member of a member of the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network to be considered for a grant. If you would like to apply for a grant but are not currently a member, then please sign up to the network first – it is free to join and only takes a few minutes! Just click here to join the Network.

Note: if you are applying for funding for an existing dementia-inclusive group, we also ask that you add your singing group to our Network Map. This helps us to accurately represent and promote the excellent work taking place across the country. Click here to find out more and put your singing group on our Map.

You can apply for a grant if you:

Lead or organise regular singing opportunities for people based in Scotland, with a focus on dementia inclusive practice. (If this is you, then please see our note above on adding your group to our Network Map).

Lead or organise regular singing opportunities for people based in Scotland, and would like your activities to become dementia inclusive.

Are looking to set up a dementia inclusive choir, singing group or activity, either online or remotely that benefits people living with dementia based in Scotland.

You can apply for a grant as an individual or on behalf of your group, choir or organisation.

You are also expected to have or put in place all necessary insurances to cover your activities or equipment. You will not be covered by Luminate’s insurance policies. We encourage you to take advice from your insurers about what level of cover you need.

How much money is available?

We will award grants of between £200 to £1,000. We have a total fund of £8,500 available.

What will we fund?

We will fund new or existing activities to help individuals, groups or organisations to start or return to in-person dementia inclusive singing activities. The activities must be aimed at those based in Scotland. We expect to support a range of activities and purchases, and these might include:

Start-up costs for individuals or groups who want to introduce new activities or services, or to adapt activities or services for their members

New technical equipment or devices to support group members to take part in activities online or by phone, or to improve access online or by phone

Contributions to the costs of materials, printing, copying, production or postage costs for singing activities

Training or mentoring for staff or volunteers. For example, this could include working with musical mentors or professional choir leaders, or a technical expert to help you improve the quality of your online activities. We could also support you to work with dementia awareness specialists to help you develop your work and add to your existing knowledge and skills

Contribution towards fees for a singing group leader and/or musicians and accompanists. This includes session fees as well as travel costs and other expenses. We encourage groups and organisations to think about these fees carefully to ensure you are paying any leaders and artists fairly for their time. Choosing the right fee can be confusing, as there is not always a fixed rate to stick to. As a Creative Scotland funded organisation, we recommend taking a look at Creative Scotland’s Rates of Pay Guide for up-to-date information on fair pay – you can find a PDF version of this below.

In some circumstances we will cover ongoing running costs for groups. You will need to show us how you plan to fund your activities after the grant finishes.

Groups who have had grants in the past used the funds for a variety of activities and purchases, including the production of DVDs and music recordings featuring familiar faces and songs for members, new technology purchases to improve online sessions, and professional musician and choir leader fees.

How will the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network decide on grant awards?

To be considered for a grant you must:

Be a member of the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network. Our network is free and easy to join, and offers support and opportunities for singing groups across Scotland. Click here to join the Network. Note: if you are applying for funding for an existing dementia-inclusive group, we also ask that you register your singing group on our Network Map. Again this is free and straightforward, and helps us to promote the excellent work taking place across the country. Click here to find out more and put your singing group on our Map.

Apply for an amount between £200 and £1,000;

Show how the grant will improve opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers to take part in singing opportunities;

Show that you will spend the grant within 6 months;

Have everything you need to offer the activity or make the purchase, for example if you want to offer a new activity you need to show that you have the right staff or volunteers available to help you;

Operate in Scotland.

A panel will carefully consider each application against these five criteria, and will also review your budget to make sure that the activity or purchase is achievable with the funds you have asked for. The panel will include choir leaders, and people living with dementia and their carers.

If you are considering applying, you might find it useful to read the Signposting Information Sheet. This gives a list of organisations and guides to help you find ways for people affected by dementia to take part in singing activities both in-person and online.

Deadline

The closing date for this round of applications is midday on Friday 9th June 2023. We will let you know the result of your application by week commencing 26^th June 2023.