Small Sparks Plus Round 2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do you want to achieve with this fund?

The Small Sparks Plus Grants Scheme aims to help charities, community organisations and community interest companies who work with local communities to improve their health or wellbeing. We want to support organisations that already have experience of working at a local level in Newcastle to improve health or wellbeing. Projects that we fund will be community led; and will build on local communities’ strengths, facilities or resources.

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How many grants do you expect to make?

The total amount of funding available from Newcastle City Council for Small Sparks Plus was £130,000. In round one there was £32,500 available which was awarded across 11 grants.

The remainder of the funding will be awarded over two more grants rounds. We expect to give out approximately £48,750 in Round 2 and £48,750 in Round 3, which means we will be able to award between 15 and 17 grants in each round. Round 2 is now open and applications are due by Monday 15th December at 4pm. We anticipate that Round 3 will open in March 2026.

Who can apply to the fund? 

Organisations must meet all the criteria below to be eligible to apply: 

  • Either be a registered charity, constituted community organisation, or a community interest company limited by guarantee;
  • Undertake activities that are charitable and legal (but your organisation does not have to be a registered charity);
  • Have unrestricted reserves of no more than 12 months expenditure (this will be judged by looking at your organisation's most recent set of annual accounts);
  • Organisations must have an annual income of less than £300,000 (as noted in your last set of annual accounts). If your project is a local branch of a larger organisation such as a national charity, we are happy to consider the annual income for your local branch. We will need to be sent the last set of annual accounts for your local branch, which has been approved by your governing board. These branch accounts will need to have an income of less than £300,000. 
  • Organisations must be currently undertaking work at a local level in Newcastle to improve health or wellbeing.
  • Have a written governing document (such as a constitution, articles of association or a set of rules);
  • Have a governing body with at least 3 unrelated members;
  • Have a UK based bank or building society account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated signatories;
  • Have an appropriate safeguarding policy in place (every organisation that undertakes charitable work has a duty to safeguard volunteers, staff members, participants and donors).
  • Organisations who were successful in Small Sparks Plus Round 1 cannot apply for Round 2.
  • Projects that are working solely with young people will not be considered. However, we will consider projects that involve young people together with adults.

We will prioritise organisations that are: 

  • Smaller organisations with lower annual income levels.
  • Delivering projects that serve outer west or north Newcastle.

Do organisations have to be a registered charity to apply? 

You do not have to be a registered charity to apply to the fund. You can be a registered charity, constituted community organisation, or a community interest company limited by guarantee.

Will you fund community interest company’s (CICs)?

If you are a Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee, you can apply to this fund. CICs limited by shares, privately owned and profit distributing companies, or limited partnerships are not eligible to apply. 

Will you fund community organisations? 

Constituted community organisations can apply to this fund. If you are a community organisation, you will need a written governing document and you need to have a governing body with at least 3 unrelated members. 

How much can I apply for? 

Organisations can apply for grants of between £500 and £3,000 to cover capital cost, revenue costs, or both capital and revenue costs. This fund will not cover core costs. 

What costs can I apply for?

You can apply for project running costs, these costs can include capital costs, revenue costs or a mixture of both capital and revenue costs. We’ve provided some examples of the kind of things you might want to apply for below. 

A capital cost is the cost of buying an item that lasts for many years, like refurbishing a building, equipment or furnishings. Revenue costs relate to a specific project or service and include things like staff costs, room hire, transport costs, or volunteer expenses. 

Examples of the sort of projects that could be considered are included below. Each example relates to one or more of the focus areas. However, these are only illustrative and do not cover every possible project. If you would like to discuss your idea, please email smallsparksplus@connectedvoice.org.uk and we’ll get back to you.

Example 1

On 10 days over 6 months, we will deliver a half-day programme of activities for at least 30 people in our area who are isolated and living in their own homes. The programme will include a guest speaker, singing, a craft activity, as well as a chance to chat. Lunch will be provided on arrival. The theme for each session will be devised by our members. Where necessary, transport to the event will be provided, though this will be limited to 10 people and will be allocated based on need.

Example 2

We will provide training to all our staff and volunteers so they can support people who are struggling to access online information and services. We engage with up to 100 people each week. Many of the people we work alongside older people and they either do not have access to the internet, or struggle to use it. The idea for this project has come from our annual client survey which showed this was the issue people have said they most needed help with. As part of this project, we will help link people online, through online chats to help support each other with top tips.

Example 3

Over 3 months, we will provide six cookery classes to the people who regularly attend our local community centre. We will provide participants with recipes that are easy, cheap and nutritious. At the end of the session, we will eat the food we have prepared together. After each session, we will provide recipe kits to participants containing all the ingredients they need to make 3 additional meals. We will be working with the local allotment association on this project; the allotment association will provide fresh vegetables for the project. We will also host a celebratory meal with the allotment association that has been cooked by students from the cookery classes.

Example 4

We will work with a local community minibus service to provide opportunities, once a fortnight for people who are experiencing barriers to travel and accessing public transport. This will enable time in the local shops and to have some food and a cuppa together. We will recruit and train two volunteers to support and coordinate the offer. The funds will pay for the community minibus fuel and will provide a level of subsidy for refreshments. 

We don’t have independently examined or audited accounts yet; will you accept management accounts? 

If you are a new organisation and you have not yet produced your first set of annual accounts, you can provide management accounts. Your management accounts should show your organisation's income, expenditure as well as a balance sheet. 

Can I apply if my organisation has reserves? 

Yes. To be eligible for this fund you must have unrestricted reserves of no more than 12 months expenditure. We will look at your last set of annual accounts and use the unrestricted reserves figure in these accounts to assess your organisation’s unrestricted reserves. Unrestricted reserves are funds that can be spent on things that advance your organisation’s purpose in agreement with your management committee or trustee board.

How do I get the application form? 

You access an application form here: https://form.jotform.com/ConnectedVoice/smallsparkplus2

When does the fund close?

To apply, please complete and return our brief application form by Monday 15th December at 4pm. 

We regret that we are unable to accept late applications. We encourage you to submit your application form before the closing date. 

What do I do if there’s a problem with the online application form? 

If you have a problem with filling out the online application form, please email us on smallsparksplus@connectedvoice.org.uk

What do I do if I need some additional support to apply? 

If you have any additional support needs, please email us on smallsparksplus@connectedvoice.org.uk 

If you do not have access to email and need some help please call the Connected Voice Support and Development team on 0191 235 7021. 

We are usually able to respond within a couple of days of receiving an inquiry.

How do I get in touch if I have a question or a problem? 

If you have any questions or a problem, please email smallsparksplus@connectedvoice.org.uk   We are usually able to respond within a couple of days of receiving an enquiry.

How will decisions be made?

The applications that are received will be reviewed and assessed by Connected Voice. A grants panel made up of representatives of Newcastle City Council, VCSE and community representatives will decide those applications that will be recommended for funding. None of the organisations involved in the decision-making process will be eligible to apply to the fund.

When will decisions be made? 

All applicants will be informed of any decisions by the end of March 2026

What if my application is unsuccessful? 

For a discussion about other support that might be available please email the Connected Voice Support and Development team on connect@connectedvoice.org.uk

Will there be further rounds like this?

We are anticipating that there will be one more round of this fund. The final round will take place in 2026. 

What do I do if I have a complaint about the fund?

We are happy to receive complaints about the way the process has been undertaken. You can contact Lisa Goodwin the Chief Executive of Connected Voice at Lisa.Goodwin@connectedvoice.org.uk We are unable to process complaints about decisions that the fund has taken to fund or reject individual applications.