Great news! New Small Spark Funding applications open on April 1st, 2026.

What is Small Sparks Funding?

Here at Being You Leeds, we offer small grants of up to £500 to local groups and activities focused on preventative mental health and wellbeing in Leeds.

Do you have an idea for a group, event, or project that could improve mental health and wellbeing in Leeds? We believe the best ideas come from local people who know their communities best. Therefore, whether you want to start something new or keep a creative project going, Small Spark Funding could help you.

Small Sparks funding criteria

In the first place, applications start on April 1st. To clarify, your group or activity must meet the following criteria to apply for a Small Sparks grant in Leeds:

  • Focus on preventing mental health problems and supporting wellbeing.
  • Take place in Leeds.
  • Do not already receive public funding or support from Being You Leeds, Live Well Leeds, Better Together, or Linking Leeds.
  • Be run by an unincorporated group or a not-for-profit organisation (we cannot fund profit-making organisations).
  • Use the funds to start or maintain activities—consequently, your application must include a clear description of how the money will be spent, with a breakdown of costs.
  • Do not already have Small Sparks funding from Being You Leeds for the same group or activity.

Reporting

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to:

  • Submit monitoring such as photos, quotes, expenditure breakdown, and a case study.
  • Attend 1 to 2 progress meetings with our Grants Coordinator throughout your project.
  • Please use the Being You Leeds logo as the project sponsor on all promotional materials (guidance will be provided). (Active command replaces a passive implication)
  • Take part in an end of project celebration event in July 2026.

Examples of Small Spark Funding projects in Leeds

Specifically, here are some of the projects and groups we’ve supported before:

  • Men’s Group Social in Burmantofts
  • Leeds Long COVID Art Project
  • Senior Socials at the Old Fire Station
  • Sabhrang Gidha Dance Group
  • Hopeful Hearts – connecting people who are socially isolated and helping them learn new skills
  • Grief Space