Small grant proposal form for dementia-friendly accessibility fund
Background:
People living with dementia can experience difficulties with memory, spatial awareness, navigation and processing information, which can make everyday environments such as shops, cafés, businesses and leisure facilities difficult to access and navigate independently. Research highlights that the design of the physical environment can play a significant role in supporting independence and participation in community life. Simple adaptations such as clear signage, improved lighting, strong colour contrast, reduced clutter, clear layouts and effective wayfinding can make environments more accessible and less stressful for people living with dementia. NHS England’s Dementia-Friendly Health and Social Care Environments guidance highlights the importance of adapting existing environments to support orientation, independence and wellbeing for people living with dementia. [england.nhs.uk]
The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling identifies signage and wayfinding as critical factors in helping people living with dementia navigate public spaces and access services independently. Their guidance notes that clear visual information and simplified navigation can reduce stress and confusion while improving access to community facilities and services. [dementia.stir.ac.uk]
The Alzheimer’s Society promotes dementia-friendly signage and environmental design as practical measures that enable organisations to become more accessible and inclusive for people living with dementia. Their guidance includes the use of clear and consistent signage to help individuals navigate buildings and facilities more confidently.[alzheimers.org.uk]
This funding programme supports Hertfordshire’s ambition to become a more dementia-friendly county and aligns directly with the Accessibility principle of the Hertfordshire Dementia Friendly Accreditation. The fund is intended to encourage retail, hospitality, leisure and other customer-facing organisations to make practical physical improvements that create more welcoming and accessible environments for people living with dementia and their carers. Welcome – Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire
Priority will be given to applications that deliver visible, practical changes to customer-facing environments.
About the Fund:
This is Hertfordshire County Council funding, administered by Memory Support Hertfordshire.
Grants are intended to support small-scale, practical environmental improvements that will enhance accessibility and inclusion.
Examples of fundable activity may include:
- Dementia-friendly signage and wayfinding.
- Improvements to toilet signage, fittings and accessibility.
- Improved lighting and visibility.
- Increased colour contrast to support navigation.
- Accessible customer information e.g. menus.
- Reducing environmental clutter and confusion.
- Creation of quiet or calmer areas for customers.
- Improving seating options.
- Other small-scale physical adaptations that improve the experience of people living with dementia.
To support organisations in identifying potential improvements, a range of environmental audit and self-assessment tools can be accessed via the following links:
Dementia-friendly environment checklist | Alzheimer’s Society
These can also be found within the Accessibility principle of the Hertfordshire Dementia Friendly Accreditation.
Applications should demonstrate how the proposed improvement will benefit people living with dementia and contribute to a more accessible and dementia-friendly environment.
Grant Value:
To maximise the reach and impact of the fund across Hertfordshire, grants will be given of between £200 and £1,000. This approach will enable support for a larger number of businesses and organisations, increasing visibility and adoption of dementia-friendly recommendations. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, with each submission considered on its own merits and funding awarded on a case-by-case basis, subject to available funding.
Decisions Will Be Based On:
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Contribution to accessibility: How effectively the proposed adaptation will improve accessibility for people living with dementia.
- Potential impact: The number of customers, visitors and residents who are likely to benefit from the improvement.
- Alignment with Hertfordshire’s Dementia Friendly Accreditation: The extent to which the proposal supports the Hertfordshire Dementia Friendly Accreditation principle of Accessibility.
- Commitment of the organisation: The organisation’s wider commitment to creating a dementia-friendly environment and improving customer experience.
- Geographic spread: Ensuring reasonable coverage and benefit across Hertfordshire.
- Previous funding received: Consideration of any previous grants awarded.
- Each proposal can request between £200 and £1,000.
- Complete and send the following form to Dementiafriendly@memorysupportherts.org.uk.
- The form is designed to be relatively simple and accessible. There is no requirement to provide lengthy or detailed plans.
The fund cannot be used for:
- Staff salaries.
- Core business operating costs.
- Food and refreshments.
- Marketing or advertising.
- General maintenance unrelated to dementia accessibility.
- Items purchased before funding approval.
Eligibility:
Applications are invited from:
- Retail businesses.
- Cafés, restaurants and hospitality.
- Leisure and recreation.
- Health-related organisations.
- Other community settings, e.g. community groups and charities.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be based in Hertfordshire or provide services from a Hertfordshire premises.
- Have physical premises that is accessible to members of the public.
- Demonstrate how the proposed improvements will benefit people living with dementia and their carers.
- Agree to provide photographs and a short case-study upon completion. Successful applicants will be required to provide before and after photographs for evaluation and promotion of the fund.
- Actively engage with Hertfordshire’s Dementia Friendly Accreditation programme to demonstrate your commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for people affected by dementia. Welcome – Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire
Please get in contact if you would like an informal conversation prior to submitting the application: Dementiafriendly@memorysupportherts.org.uk.