Small charities and community groups in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, can now apply for a share of new funding to support local residents aged 65 and over. This third round of the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund, launched by the North East Combined Authority and delivered in partnership with Community Foundation North East and Point North, offers grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to help older people stay active and live independently. This round allocates £225,000 from the wider £1 million Mayor’s Opportunity Fund.
The money is designed to fund practical local projects such as dementia-focused cafés, digital literacy workshops, and hospital-to-home support that help people settle back into their homes after medical treatment. These community-led initiatives are intended to reduce pressure on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (part of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust) by reducing social isolation and helping residents avoid unnecessary hospital stays.
To be eligible for the grants, organisations must have an annual income of less than £500,000 and focus on improving the lives of older adults. Groups in Tyne & Wear and Gateshead can apply for the funding through Community Foundation North East (also known as Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland), which is managing the application process for the area.
An online information meeting will be held on 26 January 2026 (12pm–1pm) to help local groups understand the application process and the types of projects being sought. The final deadline to submit an application is Friday 27 February 2026, and successful applicants should be notified by the end of April 2026.
The fund has previously supported a variety of grassroots causes, including the charity Out North East, which received funding in an earlier round to help stage Pride and community events across Gateshead and Sunderland. This latest round aims to tackle high levels of poverty and loneliness by investing in the heart of local neighbourhoods.
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