(Please note that applications for these grants are now closed)
Grant 1 - Antenatal contact grants
Up to £5,325 is on offer for organisations supporting families who are expecting a child, and/or have toddlers under two, to raise awareness of help and advice with infant feeding.
To secure antenatal contact grant funding, projects must support all infant feeding, not just breastfeeding, and include face-to-face support.
Grant 2 – Perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationship grants
A maximum £30,000 is also available for organisations to increase access to community-based activities that support parents affected by perinatal mental health while expecting a baby, or with children up to the age of two.
Applicants for perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationship support grants must deliver at least some of their services through volunteers. Funded projects could include social events or mentoring and coaching for parents.
“We want all Kent children to have the best start in life and no parent who is struggling with their mental health because of the pressures of expecting, and then caring for a very young baby, to suffer in silence.”
Dan Watkins, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said the new funding would help more prospective parents and carers to prepare for their baby’s arrival and thrive through the changes that follow.
Dan Watkins said: “As a father myself I know parenting can be really tough as well as bringing so much joy and I recognise, that from time to time, families need a helping hand.
“Investing in the fantastic organisations that work across Kent with our mums and dads through pregnancy and the very early years with issues such as infant feeding and mental health puts us a step closer to achieving our goals.
"We want all Kent children to have the best start in life and no parent who is struggling with their mental health because of the pressures of expecting, and then caring for a very young baby, to suffer in silence. I urge businesses, charities and community groups to apply.”
Applications for both grants are open until 11.59pm Friday, 19th January and there’s full details about the eligibility criteria and how to apply on our website.
If you have any questions about either grant, please email phbusinesssupport@kent.gov.uk for help with your queries.
