The Benefact Trust’s “Brighter Lives Mental Health Programme” is designed to provide grants to Christian charities and churches across the United Kingdom and the Island of Ireland that are supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing, particularly in response to the longer- term impact on people and communities of COVID-19.

Grants, which are discretionary (the Trust has not indicated a minimum or maximum grant level) can be used for: 

1. Revenue costs, such as staff costs (salary costs, hiring costs, and/or extending contracted hours of existing staff), training costs, volunteer expenses, the development of resources and training materials/programmes, and delivery of training. Costs for up to one year from the start date of the proposed project are eligible, and
2. Capital costs, such as the adaption of buildings and the purchase of equipment that is necessary and primarily to deliver any proposed activities. 

Projects should:

o Enable Christian organisations to train, equip and resource churches and Christian charities to provide
> appropriate mental health and wellbeing support groups and services,
> enhanced mental health awareness, and/or
> mental health first aid. 
o Support existing or emerging specialist services provided by churches and Christian charities for people struggling with mental health issues. Focus is on the most vulnerable who may struggle to access support elsewhere, such as counselling or similar therapeutic services which could be delivered in-person, online, or by phone, and/or
o Support personal mental health and wellbeing of clergy and other church leaders/workers who may be suffering, particularly post-pandemic. 

Please note that the Trust will not provide a grant to cover 100% of all project costs. Eligible applicants will be expected to have sought and secured at least 30% of the project cost prior to applying.

Funding is not available for:

o “Business as usual” salary and expenses costs for existing staff.
o Running costs, such as broadband, utilities, and other business as usual costs.
o Schools and other educational establishments. 
o Significant volunteer expenses representing a disproportionate amount of the overall project budget, or
o Tablets or computers to be given or loaned to users of new services being provided · Phones for staff or volunteers

Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.

Applications may be made at any time. However, the Trust has advised that the programme will close to applications once the budget has been allocation. Early application is therefore advised. Decisions on applications can take up to 3 months, so applicants should factor this into their project management timetable..

Contact details for the Trust are:

Brighter Lives Mental Health Programm
Benefact Trust
Benefact House
2000 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth
Gloucester
GL3 4AW
Tel: 01452 873189
Email: info(at)benefacttrust.co.uk