Organisations across Medway providing assistance with debt, money management, food security and health can now apply for grants of up to £15,000 through a new £500,000 funding scheme. According to BBC News, the initiative launched by Medway Council targets projects that strengthen residents' financial wellbeing and help them avoid, manage and recover from financial crises.
The scheme forms part of the council's Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which is government-backed. Medway Council opened the application window on 26 October 2026, with the deadline set for 5pm on Sunday 22 November 2026.
What types of projects will be funded?
The grants prioritise initiatives that build long-term financial independence rather than emergency relief. Council leader Vince Maple emphasised the scheme's relevance to current economic pressures, stating:
Some of the key things that we're looking at through these grants are support for carers, food support, tackling health inequalities, support for residents over pension age, and financial resilience and debt resolution.
Jack Packman, chief executive of Medway Voluntary Action, which manages applications, explained the broader philosophy behind the approach:
Building financial resilience is about more than responding to immediate hardship; it's about helping people develop the confidence, skills and support networks they need to navigate future challenges.Packman added that Medway's established volunteer sector positioned the grants to deliver
lasting positive change.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include registered charities, constituted community and voluntary organisations, qualifying community interest companies, not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee, and community benefit societies. All organisations must register with MVA's Social Impact Gateway to submit an application.
How will the funding be distributed?
Grants are paid in two instalments, with the second 50% released after the funder visits the project and confirms the promised activities are being delivered. This staged payment approach ensures accountability and verifies that funded organisations are delivering their proposed services.
What is the broader context?
The Crisis and Resilience Fund represents a significant shift in government support for vulnerable residents. The Chatham Community Supermarket, which opened in October 2026 as part of the CRF, demonstrated early success with over 1,200 shoppers in its first week and nearly 2.8 tonnes of food diverted from waste. The supermarket operates as a low-cost retail space serving all Medway residents.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is a three-year national scheme running from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, replacing the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. Medway's allocation for 2026–27 totals £4.590 million, of which this voluntary sector grants scheme represents a portion.
Similar funding initiatives have emerged across the southeast. West Devon Borough Council allocated £300,682 through the Crisis and Resilience Fund to support residents facing financial hardship, including new advice services and priority aid for care leavers, demonstrating how different councils are tailoring support to local needs.
Key facts
- Individual grants of up to £15,000 are available from a total £500,000 scheme
- Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 22 November 2026
- Funding prioritises projects building long-term financial resilience over emergency support
- The scheme is part of a three-year national Crisis and Resilience Fund running until 31 March 2029
- Medway's total Crisis and Resilience Fund allocation for 2026–27 is £4.590 million
