Creative Health in Lewisham: Neighbourhood Microgrants 2026
Lewisham Council in partnership with South-East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB), is asking for applications to the Creative Health in Lewisham Neighbourhoods Microgrants Programme for 2026.
The aims of these creative health grants is to:
- Show the value of community-led creative health projects and the impact they can have on people’s health and wellbeing.
- Fund people and organisations to work together that don’t normally deliver in partnership, leading projects and ideas which could be supported to grow after this funding, reaching more people.
- Trial creative health projects in new spaces and try out new approaches that can be used in the future.
- Connect community organisations and creative health practitioners to the NHS Integrated Neighbourhood teams (INT’s) and local community support organisations.
What is creative health?
Creative health activities can include arts, culture, heritage and nature-based activities such as:
- physical activity through dance or movement, getting into nature, taking part in arts outdoors
- encouraging community growing, food learning or garden-based activities
- creative activities that reduce stress levels and improve mental wellbeing
- activities that celebrate identity and lived experience together with neighbours
Grant details
Grants of up to £2,000 to support creative health projects and partnerships across Lewisham are available. These grants are designed to both strengthen existing activities and help organisations cover core costs while developing new partnerships.
In total, four grants will be awarded, one in each of Lewisham’s neighbourhood areas - north, south, east, and west. Find out more about Lewisham neighbourhoods.
The funded projects are expected to take place between July and December 2026. To be eligible, project ideas must support adult residents who would benefit from activities that could improve cardiovascular disease health outcomes and connect to at least two pillars of Lewisham’s ‘lifestyle medicine service’ which are:
- physical activity
- nutrition and food learning
- stress management and mental wellbeing
- improving rest/relaxation
- improving social connection
- celebrating identity and lived experience
Organisations applying for funding must demonstrate experience working with vulnerable adults and have appropriate safeguarding policies and insurance in place. As part of the programme, all funded activity will be evaluated by London Arts and Health and the grant recipients need to work with them to support evaluation.
Timeline
- grant launched Wednesday 13 May
- on-line information workshop Tuesday 19 May
- in person information workshop Thursday 21 May
- application deadline 11.59pm on 7 June 2026
- activity needs to take place between July - December 2026
Interested?
Apply for the Creative Health in Neighbourhoods Microgrants programme for 2026.
Support
If you have any questions, please contact cultural.development@lewisham.gov.uk.
- on-line information workshop Tuesday 19 May, 1-2pm, sign up on Eventbrite
- in-person information workshop Wednesday 20 May 2.30-3.30pm, The Oak Room, Catford House, Catford Broadway SE6 4SP, sign up on Eventbrite
Who can apply?
Locally rooted organisations who already deliver in Lewisham, or can connect to an established local organisation
Apply
Community groups connecting to new partners
If you are a creative practitioner who would like to connect to a community organisation that may apply for this grant fill in the community practitioner contact form
If you are a community-based organisation that wants to connect with a new creative facilitator please fill in the community organisation contact form
If you are an NHS organisation or team that is interesting in partnering with a community-based organisation group for this grant fill in the NHS/Health Team: partner with a community organisation contact form