People's Health Trust

People's Health Trust is a national UK charity established in 2011, funded initially by The Health Lottery, dedicated to challenging health inequalities across England, Scotland, and Wales. Its mission is to ensure that location or identity does not shorten lives or diminish health quality, targeting deep-rooted social determinants like poor housing, low income, exclusion, discrimination, and weak community cohesion. Guided by values of collaboration, community empowerment, and systemic change, it uniquely emphasises evidence-based, locally led solutions, partnering with grassroots groups, universities, and researchers to amplify marginalised voices in grantmaking, policy, and advocacy.

The Trust funds community-led projects addressing health's building blocks, prioritising the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods: improving local environments, food access via gardens, social connections, mental health support, employability skills, and housing advocacy. Key programmes include Active Communities and Health Justice Fund, supporting peer support, campaigning, environmental enhancements, food security, and organising for groups like unemployed youth, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and those facing structural racism. Beneficiaries are local communities experiencing poverty, discrimination by race, gender, sexuality, disability, or age.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based in the most deprived 30% of neighbourhoods (verified via postcode checker), with preference for small-to-medium organisations (annual income under £350,000–£500,000) rooted in their areas. It does not accept unsolicited applications; programmes are thematic and open periodically.

Grants typically range from £5,000 to £50,000 over up to two years for project delivery and core costs tied to community work, via a two-stage process (EOI online form, then full application). Currently closed (as of November 2025), with six-week windows and 12-week decisions when open—monitor the website for announcements. Exclusions include capital projects, emergency relief, pure research, and non-community-led or commercial activities, distinguishing it through rigorous localism and proven impacts like enhanced wellbeing and policy shifts.