Asda Foundation’s Healthy Teen Minds Fund Opens for UK Applications

Funding to improve the mental health and wellbeing of UK teens (13-18 years)

Asda Foundation’s Young Futures Fund is offering up to £600,000 through its Healthy Teen Minds programme with grants of between £500 and £1,000.

The funding is for community groups across the UK to deliver activities for disadvantaged, vulnerable teenagers (13 years to 18 years), helping to improve mental health and wellbeing, and create positive life opportunities.

The funding priorities are:

• Promotion of inclusivity and access to activities for individuals facing barriers to participation.
• Projects addressing prevalent social issues in the community (e.g. knife crime, gangs, bullying, personal safety).

The grants can be used for a range of project costs, including:

• Emotional and mental health support (counselling and therapy).
• Provide essential items (hygiene supplies and clothing).
• Awareness of the key issues facing teenagers (e.g. educational workshops).
• Rehabilitation, recovery, and shelter (e.g. addiction support and youth homelessness reintegration).
• Activities and events that build connections and improve wellbeing and physical health.
• Delivery of specialist support or services or speakers.
• Peer support events and activities that bring teenagers together.
• Resources for recreational activities, e.g. craft materials and board games.
• Sports kit and/or equipment (up to £500) and must be essential playing kit.
• Volunteering costs (e.g. training) capped to £100 per person.

Not-for-profit groups and organisations with an income of below £250,000, who are based and working within the UK, and offering services to support teenagers’ mental health and wellbeing can apply. Examples of eligible groups include (but not limited to) PTAs, amateur sports clubs, uniformed groups and youth clubs.

Applications are encouraged from groups with free to access services that are inclusive to many, as it is unlikely that activities with fees that prevent participation will be supported.

Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible as the programme may close early if demand is high or if specific regions become oversubscribed.