Young women in the UK face growing mental health challenges, and a new funding programme aims to help. The Young Women in Mind 2026-2028 Grant Programme offers up to £500,000 to charities that provide therapeutic mental health support for girls and young women aged 14 to 25. This initiative comes from the Pilgrim Trust, Prudence Trust, and Julia Rausing Trust, which plan to invest £5 million over three years.
About the Young Women in Mind Programme
This programme responds to the rise in mental health problems among young women. Many struggle to find care that fits their experiences. The trusts want to back charities that offer community-based, gender-specific therapy.
The funding helps these groups expand services, build stronger teams, adjust programmes for more demand, and make support more inclusive. It focuses on places where young women already feel safe, like local centres.
Funding Details
Grants range from £200,000 to £500,000 over three years, from 2026 to 2028. This setup gives charities stable support to improve their work. Only groups already running therapeutic services can apply.
What the Funding Covers
Charities can use the money for many needs. This includes costs for running projects, paying staff, hiring experts, advocacy work, learning from results, updating services, and growing programmes. The goal is to create better mental health support systems.
Programme Focus Areas
The programme targets therapeutic services just for girls and young women aged 14 to 25. These young people often deal with specific social and emotional issues that need tailored help. Charities must show how their work reaches this group in real ways.
Geographic Eligibility
Groups must work in certain areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland, North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber, or the Midlands. Charities operating across the UK or all of England can apply too, if their plans match these places.
Target Age Group
Services must reach young people aged 14 to 25. Charities can serve other ages in general, but the funded part needs to focus on girls and young women in this range.
Why This Programme Matters
Mental health issues for young women are on the rise, putting strain on local services. This funding invests in groups already helping in communities. It stresses early help, care suited to girls’ needs, easy access through local spots, and steady funding for the long run.
Key Principles of the Programme
The programme values trauma-aware care, trust in communities, support that fits gender needs, high-quality therapy, better long-term results, and ways to measure success. Charities should check the official guides for full details.
Application Process
Start by reading the guidelines and taking the eligibility quiz. Then submit a stage one application. If selected, move to stage two. Check your fit before applying, as spots are limited.
Important Dates
The programme opened on 11 May 2026. Stage one applications close on 22 June 2026. Stage two ends on 24 August 2026. Decisions come by the end of November 2026. Prepare early to meet these dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Young Women in Mind Grant Programme?
It is a funding initiative from the Pilgrim Trust, Prudence Trust, and Julia Rausing Trust that offers grants up to £500,000 to charities providing therapeutic mental health support for girls and young women aged 14 to 25.
Who can apply for these grants?
Charities already running therapeutic services for young women in specific UK areas like Northern Ireland, Scotland, North East England, and others can apply if their work matches the programme’s focus.
What does the funding cover?
The money can pay for running projects, staff salaries, hiring experts, advocacy, learning from results, updating services, and growing programmes to better support young women.
What are the key dates for applications?
Stage one applications close on 22 June 2026, stage two on 24 August 2026, and decisions will come by the end of November 2026.
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