The Queen Victoria Fund Reading has opened applications for its second funding round of 2026, offering financial support to local organisations working to tackle health inequalities in the area. Groups based within the Reading Borough and Earley Town Council areas have until 29 June 2026 to submit their applications for community-led health initiatives.
The fund supports projects that address significant health challenges, including mental health, obesity, alcohol misuse, gambling addiction, and perinatal inequalities. These efforts aim to narrow the gap in life expectancy across the community, where health outcomes often differ significantly depending on the area. According to Reading Borough Council, women in more affluent parts of the region live up to 7.8 years longer than those in the most deprived areas (for men, the gap is 6.8 years).
To qualify for funding, organisations do not need to be registered charities, but they must be properly constituted groups with their own bank accounts and designated responsible officers. The charity offers three grant tiers: small grants under £2,000, standard grants ranging from £2,000 to £5,000, and, in exceptional circumstances, larger grants exceeding £5,000.
This grant programme was established in 2025 as a new way to continue a long-standing tradition of local medical support. The fund succeeded the historical Queen Victoria Institute, which had provided nursing care for those in need since 1897 before closing its final foot clinic in 2023.
Information regarding this opportunity is being shared by Reading Voluntary Action, an organisation that supports the local voluntary sector. Interested groups can find more details about the application process and eligibility requirements on the official Queen Victoria Fund Reading website.
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