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Changing Lives Football

Changing Lives Community Services has two football‑based projects that use sport to strengthen mental health, inclusion and youth development in Harlow. Changing Lives FC – Mental Health Kickaround offers weekly two‑hour sessions combining football with guided community mental health coaching for migrants, asylum seekers and local residents. The Community Football Initiative provides weekly term‑time football for children aged 4–11, building on an existing club to keep sessions low‑cost or free for families on low incomes while linking to wider family support and youth leadership pathways.

What will the Kao SEED Fund support?

For Changing Lives FC – Mental Health Kickaround, Kao SEED funding will cover staff wages and refreshments for 32 weekly sessions, plus promotional materials and videography to document and share the project. For the Community Football Initiative, the fund will support 39 weeks of delivery by paying for facility hire, equipment such as balls, bibs and first aid, marketing, website fees, insurance and FA‑linked coaching qualifications. Together, this investment underwrites safe spaces, skilled facilitation and sustainable infrastructure across both football programmes.

Who is the project helping support?

The Mental Health Kickaround targets migrants, asylum seekers and local residents of all backgrounds, using football as a shared language to reduce stigma, encourage contact and improve wellbeing. The Community Football Initiative focuses on children aged 4–11, especially from low‑income families who face barriers to traditional club football, offering free places for those on Universal Credit. Both projects also support parents, local businesses and referrers such as youth justice teams, schools and health services, by providing constructive, accessible activities and clear referral routes into wider support.

Impact of the project

Across both programmes, Changing Lives aims to increase physical activity, improve mental health and strengthen community cohesion. The Kickaround will track changes in wellbeing, physical activity and social participation through surveys, attendance data, case studies and a documentary, targeting higher activity levels and improved self‑ratings for at least 75% of participants. The Community Football Initiative will measure impact via booking data, feedback, surveys, stories, photos and videos, evidencing confidence, skills growth, reduced isolation and progression into teams or youth leadership roles for Harlow’s young people.

Find out more:

https://www.changinglivescommunityservices.com/changinglivesfc

https://www.facebook.com/ChangingLivesInHarlow/

https://www.instagram.com/changing_l1ves/?hl=en

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If your application is successful, Harlow Council will transfer the grant by BACS.  Bank details (account name, number and sort code) will need to be supplied with a summary of accounts. 

Funding conditions:  If your application is successful, your project must be delivered by 31 December 2026. You will have to return any grant funds if the project is not delivered or the organisation receiving the funding stops operating.

A contract agreement will need to be signed between your organisation and Harlow District Council before any funding is granted.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Grant recipients will be required to provide an end of project report to establish whether the project has met its aims and objectives, as well as to assess the overall impact on participants. Funding for the project is provided on the basis that the Project Evaluation form is returned within the agreed project timescale (no later than 31 January 2027).

Risks and Liabilities: In giving grants the ‘Harlow Council’ will require the supported project organisation or groups to accept all risks and liabilities associated with the activity being supported. This will be a condition of the grant.  Copies of relevant documents may need to be provided if the application has been approved.

Data protection statement – how we will use your information

The Council is committed to handling your personal information in line with the data processing principles.  The Data Protection Legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) sets the legal framework for how we collect, handle and process personal data and for your rights as a ‘data subject.’

General Data Protection Regulation:  Personal data provided by you will be processed in accordance with this protocol. For more details, please see https://www.harlow.gov.uk/privacy-notice

Thank you for taking the time to read these guidance notes. If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].

FAQs

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  1. Who can apply?
    The fund is open to not-for-profit community groups and grassroots initiatives based in Stockport.
     
  2. What types of projects are eligible?
    We encourage projects focused on environmental sustainability, community cohesion, and local economic development.
     
  3. How much funding is available?
    Grants range from £500 to £2,500 for pilot projects or to enhance existing initiatives.
     
  4. Is this the sole funding for this project?
    If not, please expand on the additional match funding that you currently have or are in the process of applying for.
     
  5. Are there any restrictions on grants under £500?
    Yes, please note that grants under £500 may be subject to different guidelines or restrictions, which will be communicated upon application.
     
  6. When will we know if our project was selected?
    Notifications will be sent by March 31, 2025.
     
  7. How can I apply for a grant?
    Applications can be submitted through our online portal, where you will find detailed guidelines and forms.
     
  8. What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
    If your application is not successful, we encourage you to seek feedback and consider reapplying in future funding rounds.
     
  9. When is the application deadline?
    Please check our website for the latest application deadlines and any upcoming funding rounds.