Sefton Big Lunch Grant Fund 2025

This is an opportunity for voluntary, community and faith (VCF) groups in the borough of Sefton to engage in a national initiative, The Big Lunch, which takes place on 7th and 8th June 2025.

Details about the Big Lunch and useful resources can be found here:
www.edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch

This grant fund is a joint initiative between Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), Sefton Council, funding platform Sefton 4 Good and Living Well Sefton.

This initiative will fund local voluntary, community and faith groups to hold events in neighbourhoods and communities bringing residents together to celebrate and promote community cohesion, social connection and build links and friendships across generations and communities, with a focus around sharing food engaging in the Big Lunch 2025.

Small grant funding (up to £400) is being made available to Sefton-based (VCF) sector organisations to deliver activities to coincide with the national Big Lunch on or near 7-8th June 2025.

The focus of the fund will be:

  • – Delivery of social activities and community events in celebration of the Big Lunch which will bring communities together e.g. community lunches, afternoon teas, BBQ’s, brunches, as part of the national Big Lunch being promoted nationally.
  • – Food events that promote diversity and inclusion engendering community cohesion.
  • – Intergenerational activities e.g. youth groups linking up with isolated older people focused around food and friendship.
  • – Cultural events and connection involving food.

Organisation and Community groups can apply for grants of between £100-£400.

Applicants must be groups operating and based in Sefton and either a registered charity, or a constituted community organisation.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon, Monday 19 May 2025.

Apply here
    1. 1. You must be a voluntary, community or faith group working in or providing services to the residents of Sefton. You can apply individually or in partnership with other groups and organisations.
    2. 2. Organisations involved in the project for which the grant will be available need to fall into the categories below:
  • - Be a constituted voluntary, community or faith organisation based in the borough of Sefton
  • - Be a Community Interest Company with no shareholding and not for profit
  • - Be a Registered Charitable Organisation
    2. 3. The lead contact’s organisation must:
    • - have a bank account with a minimum of two signatories
    • - be able to provide a copy of their constitution
    • - be independent of political parties
    • - have a safeguarding policy in place
    • - agree to share information with us for evaluation and monitoring purposes
    • - be willing to join in social media promotion of your activities as part of Sefton Big Lunch celebrations.

The maximum grant available to organisations is £400. Funding of between £100 - £400 is available.

We are looking for engaging projects that will involve Sefton residents being part of the national celebration of The Big Lunch within the local community.

Your application must:

  • - demonstrate how your project or activity meets at least one of our fund criteria
  • - show that your project or activity is achievable within the stated time frame and requested amount of funds
  • - outline the impact your project or activity will have on your organisation(s) and the wider community in Sefton
  • - consider how you will include a diverse range of audiences and/or participants
  • - the activity must take place in the borough of Sefton
  • - show safeguarding policies in place
  • - show the appropriate public liability and employer’s liability insurance for the activities that they provide.
The grant funding can not be used to fund the following associated costs and/or activities:
  • - retrospective costs
  • - profit-making or fundraising activities
  • - religious activities (we can fund religious organisations if their project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
  • - projects that take place outside of the Sefton
  • - activities that make profits for private gain
  • - cash that will be given directly to individuals.
If you would like support completing your application, please contact our Group Development Team by emailing groupdevelopment@seftoncvs.org.uk