New small grants scheme launched to tackle health inequalities across SWAG

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK, with nearly 3.5 million people currently living with the disease. While progress has been made in early diagnosis, significant inequalities still exist, particularly for people living in low-income areas.

Research shows that these people are 20% more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage, and face 60% higher death rates from cancer compared to people in more affluent areas.

These differences are often caused by things such as lack of awareness or difficulty in accessing the healthcare system. But we know that the inequalities don’t stop there, with it affecting far more of our local communities, such as LGBTQIA+, homeless communities, traveller communities, and many more.

That’s why SWAG Cancer Alliance is launching a Small Grants Scheme aimed at supporting community-focused projects that seek to address health inequalities and improve early cancer diagnosis among our most underserved populations.

Nellie Guttmann, Programme Manager for Health Inequalities and Early Diagnosis, said: “We are so committed here at SWAG to doing what we can to reduce these inequalities that exist, however, we recognise the real impact lies within local organisations, like charities, community groups, pharmacies, etc., who are more embedded and in contact with our local communities. That is why we have made this funding available, so that we can support and enable our community-centered organisations to make a difference.”

Grants of up to £15,000 per project are available and applications are welcomed from voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations, as well as GP practices, pharmacies, primary care networks, local authorities, and hospitals.

If you are an organisation or community group, primary care provider, or local authority within Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon, or Gloucestershire, then we would love to hear from you.

We will be holding a webinar on Wednesday 8 October from 12:30 to 13:30 for more information. You can access the full information on the small grants scheme here: Small Grants Scheme