Full of Life Fund

The Full of Life Fund is back for its fifth year to sit alongside the annual Full of Life Fair, International Day of Older Persons, and Silver Sunday.

Through an exciting programme of events, the fund aims to connect older residents with local groups and activities that support their health and wellbeing.

About the fund

The Full of Life Fund was launched in 2021 to support local groups and organisations across the borough that run activities for older residents and carers.

Through the programme of events, we aim to celebrate older residents and raise awareness of local opportunities that help them stay physically active, socially connected, and well supported to lead healthy, happy lives.

Working with our residents, we have produced a Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy featuring themes of Start Well, Live Well, and Age Well. The health and wellbeing priorities are are helping to guide our Full of Life offer.

Apply for the fund

Organisations and groups who work with older people are invited to apply for up to £250 of funding to host their event.

Applicants need to outline how they plan to use the money. You can either create a bespoke event or use the funding to support relevant activities you already have planned. Events need to support older residents' wellbeing by encouraging physical activity and supporting healthy, independent living.

The deadline for Full of Life Fund applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 3 August 2025.

Funding will be allocated based on how well the proposed activity aligns with Full of Life aims, while ensuring a balanced spread across the borough.

Apply for Full of Life Fund

Application decision

Successful applicants will be told by late August. We will be looking to confirm events and start promoting our finalised events programme by the middle of September.

We will use the event details provided in the application form to start developing marketing materials, so please ensure the information is as finalised as possible.

Events

Events will need to take place between Wednesday 1 October and Friday 31 October 2025.

Ideas for events include:

• Organising activity ‘taster’ sessions that your organisation typically offers, to display the range of options available for older people in our communities
• Encouraging people to get active by hiring a yoga or dance instructor
• Organising an event designed especially for adults with sight or hearing impairment
• Organising dementia-friendly activities for our residents living with and caring for a loved one with dementia
• Hosting a healthy cook along, highlighting how food and nutrition relate to overall health
• Organising a group walk around local parks and nature trails 
• Organising a trip to a local museum, theatre, or art gallery
• Hosting expert led workshops on how to safely maintain physical health, even with limited mobility

A timetable of events will be published in September to help our residents plan which events they would like to attend.

How local organisations used the funding

Below are some examples of activities that local groups and organisations hosted with the Full of Life Fund.

Age UK

Last year, Age UK hosted an allotment open day for people to have a tour of the allotment, hear from an expert gardener, and do some light gardening.

Makers United CIC

Makers United CIC hosted a class showcasing traditional techniques, including stitches, patterns, and styles from the past. Attendees also had the chance to make rosettes.

EDGE Dance Fitness

Residents joined a fun-filled, low-impact dance class, for dancers of all levels. Dancers could try styles like the Tango, Cha Cha, American Smooth, Swing Jive, Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Paso Doble, Samba, Salsa, and more.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Full of Life Fund, please email fulloflife@richmond.gov.uk.