#SpeakUp small grants scheme
Our #SpeakUp small grants scheme, aimed at local not for profit, third sector, voluntary or community groups enables local people to share their experiences of health and care services in Sheffield.
Why do we run the grants scheme?
We believe that when communities #SpeakUp about their experiences, they can create change. By working with groups who are already trusted partners in their communities, we can make sure we're hearing from even more people, including those whose voices aren't often heard by services.
Since starting the grants scheme we've supported 44 projects from a wide variety of different organisations in the city. These range from focus groups, community fun days, shared meals, creative projects and more. The aim is to engage with people in ways that suit them, and hear a greater range of experiences about local health and social care services. Altogether these projects have helped to share the views of over 2,700 people directly with health and care decision makers.
Watch the video to find out more about what it's like to take part, from some of our previous grant recipients.
Projects are now underway!
The 2025-26 Speak Up grants have been awarded, and we are working with the successful organisations to shine a light on the views and experiences of those aged 0 - 19 in Sheffield.
This year's projects are being run by:
- Sheffield Young Carers
- Learn Sheffield
- MASKK (Manor After School Kids Klub)
- Element Society
- Sharrow Community Forum
- Helping Hands Autism
Watch this space
We're really excited about these projects - keep an eye on our website to find out what children and young people have to say about health and care in Sheffield.
In focus: SAVTE
SAVTE (Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English) received a Speak Up grant in 2023. They spoke with people learning English about healthcare services in the city, and what made it more difficult for them to get the help they need.
It became clear that learners wanted to access health services more independently, but lacked confidence and specific vocabulary. SAVTE developed new learning resources and lesson plans, including role playing activities about calling 111 or 999. These resources will continue to help future learners to describe their health symptoms, and feel more confident in speaking to healthcare professionals.
This is a great example of how Speak Up can work - helping organisations to explore what the gaps in support are for people, and finding creative solutions.
Find out more - read SAVTE's report.
How does the scheme work?
We open the scheme every year, encouraging voluntary and community sector groups to apply. Grants are then awarded by a panel of staff members and volunteers.
Organisations carry out a range of activities to help them hear from local people, and we help to write up their findings, making recommendations to local health and social care services. We then make sure these reports are seen by those who can make change happen.
We also think it's important that people can share their experiences directly with the people who make decisions about health and care services, and want to create opportunities for this to happen.
Read some of the previous Speak Up reports to find out how people's voices have made a difference:
The money was fantastic because it enabled us to host the event, to put on some food... to encourage people to come along and relax and get chatting.
Read the reports
All of the published reports are available to read on our website. We have also produced summary reports each year, bringing together the overarching themes that people tell us.