Early Diagnosis VCFSE Grants Programme 2026/27
Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance — Year 3
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance Early Diagnosis VCFSE Grants Programme aims to reduce inequalities in cancer outcomes by investing in trusted voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to deliver community based cancer awareness, early diagnosis and prevention activity. The programme will go beyond raising awareness by supporting and activating people to take positive action for their health.
The programme seeks to:
- Increase awareness and recognition of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
- Encourage and enable people to take appropriate action, including seeking medical advice promptly when symptoms arise.
- Increase understanding of cancer screening, including who is eligible, when they may be invited and how to participate.
- Identify and maximise opportunities to encourage screening participation, particularly among communities experiencing lower uptake and greater health inequalities.
- Increase participation in national cancer screening programmes by addressing practical, cultural, behavioural and informational barriers to uptake.
- Promote awareness of and uptake of HPV vaccination amongst the catch up cohorts (CYP that have left school up to age 25; Gay, Bisexual men and MSM up to age 45).
- Increase awareness of, engagement with, and action arising from the Cancer Alliance's 'Talk. Check. Act.' and 'Check It Don't Chance It' campaigns.
- Use trusted community relationships and conversations to encourage positive behaviour change.
- Build trusted relationships between communities, VCFSE organisations and health services.
- Strengthen the role and capability of the VCFSE sector in supporting earlier cancer diagnosis and reducing associated health inequalities.
Funding Categories
Review the four categories below and select the one that best fits your planned activity. You will then be taken to the relevant application form.
Category 1 — Community Event Grant
£1,000 (up to £500 cash + up to £500 in resources & merchandise)
Delivery Period
One-off event
Purpose
Awareness event or campaign
Reporting
Light Touch
Designed for organisations wishing to deliver a single awareness event. Includes approximately £500 cash contribution and £500 Cancer Alliance resources and merchandise.
Suitable examples
Community health fairs · Faith events · Sports clubs · Cancer awareness events · Cultural festivals
Reporting expectations
- A simple end-of-project return including event date, venue, local authority area, community reached, estimated attendance, narrative, photographs, short video clips (where appropriate) and social media coverage.
Category 2 — Community Engagement Grant
Up to £5,000
Delivery Period
6 or 12 months
Purpose
Grassroots delivery
Reporting
Standard
For grassroots organisations. Delivery can be over 6 or up to 12 months — recognising that many grassroots organisations rely on volunteers.
Suitable examples
Regular awareness sessions · Community workshops · Faith engagement · Outreach activities · Pop-up stalls · Women's/Men's groups · Established health/community activities
Reporting expectations
- Monthly reporting: engagement numbers, locations, audience demographics, community feedback/evaluations, case studies (quarterly), photos, videos, social media reach, evidence of resources used.
Category 3 — Innovation Grant
£5,001 – £10,000
Delivery Period
12 months
Purpose
Innovative community engagement
Reporting
Enhanced
For organisations with experience delivering community engagement who wish to build a bespoke cancer early diagnosis programme and test innovative approaches.
Suitable examples
Peer education models · Targeted work with underserved communities · Digital engagement · New partnership approaches
Reporting expectations
- Monthly reporting: engagement numbers, locations, demographics, feedback, photos, videos, social media reach, resources used.
- Quarterly reporting: project outcomes, innovation, lessons learnt, community insight, partnership development, case studies, photos, videos.
Category 4 — Strategic Community Partnership Grant
£10,001 – £15,000 (maximum)
Delivery Period
12 months
Purpose
Strategic delivery and sustained engagement
Reporting
Full Assurance
For organisations able to deliver larger-scale community programmes across priority populations. Applicants should demonstrate strategic partnerships, capacity to allocate a dedicated part-time member of staff, and strong monitoring systems.
Suitable examples
Strategic partnerships · Dedicated part-time staff · Higher engagement volumes · Strong monitoring systems
Reporting expectations
- Contribute to the L&SC Cancer Alliance Patient and Public Voice Strategy and participate in community insight activity.
- Monthly reporting: engagement numbers, locations, demographics, feedback, photos, videos, social media reach, resources used.
- Quarterly reporting: project outcomes, innovation, lessons learnt, community insight, partnership development, case studies, photos, videos, workforce development updates, Patient and Public Voice involvement.