Following our first ‘Healthier Habits Hubs’ launch in November 2024, the 2025/26 new structure has been shaped by the feedback received from both residents attending the hubs as well as partners supporting the hubs.
We recognise the importance of communities being able to organise events of health importance as well as events that promote community cohesion and integration. Therefore, funding has been made available for communities in Essex to lead and organise events. These can be events that:
- encourage health promotion
- raise awareness of issues that affect the community
- bring communities together for collective reflection
The Healthier Habits Hub fund will offer financial support to organisations to help deliver new events in the County of Essex.
The fund can be used to book a space or pay for other associated event costs. For each event, a maximum of £2,500 will be made available, or for collaboration between organisations grants of up to £5,000 will be available.
We are keen to develop an interesting and successful year-round events calendar and would like to encourage new community leaders and groups to come forward. As part of this ambition, we are keen to see new events that will complement the existing offer.
Who can apply
The following groups can apply for the Healthier Habits Hub fund:
- registered charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs) with sound governance and accountability structures
- individuals affiliated to a registered group that supports Essex can apply where no other suitable registered charity or CIC can be found
- profit companies
- constituted groups
- religious organisations
What can we fund
The Healthier Habits Hub can fund:
- costs of venue hire and other related event costs
- refreshments for consumption at the event
- small items of expenditure for activities
- staffing costs related to the event
- other reasonable expenditure directly relating to the activity or event for example giveaways/free health resources such as dental packs
What the fund will not pay for
The Healthier Habits Hub can not fund:
- private events, for example birthdays, christenings, graduation
- political events or campaigning
- profit-making activities
- running costs including salaries not related to the event
- transportation costs, storage or delivery fees
- promotion of religious/extremist beliefs
The fund will not cover costs for any event that may be perceived as non-inclusive or could cause the council reputational damage.
The event must be a single-day event, not a series of events.
The event must be free for the community to enter and attend and if we’ve fully funded the event then food/refreshments provided must be free of charge.
How to apply for the Healthier Habits Hub
Applications for the Healthier Habits Hubs fund 2025/26 will open on Monday 3 November 2025 and close on Sunday 30November 2025.
*Please be aware we reserve the right to close the application form early on the basis the funds have been allocated to projects on a first come first served basis ahead of the closing date*
Please complete the following form: Healthier Habits Hub funding application form. Any additional documents will need to be sent l to HealthierHabitsHubs@essex.gov.uk using your project name as the reference.
Your application will be reviewed by the Healthier Habits Hubs project team within 1 week (7 working days) of receiving your application and a response will be sent to you within 14 days of receiving your application.
If you have any questions regarding the Healthier Habits Hubs fund please email us on HealthierHabitsHubs@essex.gov.uk
Please note, all successful projects will be required to submit feedback and evidence of their project before 31October 2026.