Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance has launched a new funding round to support local community groups and grassroots organisations in improving cancer awareness and promoting earlier diagnosis.
The VCFSE Small Grants Scheme, delivered in partnership with Spring North, a charity and membership network supporting voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, offers grants of up to £10,000 for community-led projects. These projects will educate people on the signs and symptoms of cancer, encourage participation in cancer screening and HPV vaccinations and empower individuals to seek help early when they notice something unusual.
The goal is to collaborate with communities at the centre of this initiative, those trusted local groups and leaders who have the relationships and understanding needed to reach people who might not otherwise engage with traditional health services. By enabling these communities to lead, the scheme will address barriers such as fear, stigma, lack of information, or difficulty accessing healthcare, ensuring that vital messages about early diagnosis reach those who need them most.
When cancer is detected early, treatment tends to be more effective and recovery outcomes are considerably improved. This scheme acknowledges the crucial role that grassroots organisations have in making this happen by providing activities that are culturally sensitive, relevant, and based on local knowledge and experience.
Fleur Carney, Managing Director of Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance, said:
Speaking about the scheme, Cancer Alliance Managing Director Fleur Carney said: “We are delighted to be working with Spring North again to continue our commitment to improving cancer awareness and early diagnosis in our communities through this funding scheme. By empowering local projects with these grants, we aim to make a significant impact on cancer outcomes and ensure that more people have the knowledge and support they need to participate in cancer screening and vaccination programmes and seek help early with cancer signs and symptoms. Together, we can make a real difference.”
Spring North will not only oversee the grants process on behalf of the Cancer Alliance but also support organisations at every stage, from application through to delivery and evaluation. Their team will provide guidance, connect groups with broader partners, and help them showcase the impact of their work, giving grassroots organisations the confidence and tools they need to make a lasting difference.
Martin Hartley-Smith, Chief Executive of Spring North, said:
Our partnership with the Cancer Alliance has already demonstrated how effective this approach can be. The projects funded through last year’s scheme reached thousands of people across Lancashire and South Cumbria, raising awareness of cancer symptoms, encouraging screening, and supporting individuals to seek help sooner. By working together, we have seen the impact that trusted local organisations can have when they receive the resources and support to act. This next round of funding builds on that success, placing communities at the centre of the effort to improve early diagnosis and ultimately save lives.
The scheme targets communities experiencing the poorest cancer outcomes and facing barriers to care. Projects may include local awareness events, peer-led workshops, storytelling initiatives, or myth-busting campaigns aimed at encouraging people to participate in screening and vaccinations or to seek help promptly.
Applications are open now and will close on 3 October 2025. Funded projects are expected to run for between six and twelve months.
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