‘HOP Pot’ small grants enable a variety of diverse organisations to engage older people with arts and cultural projects across the Liverpool City Region.

‘HOP Pots’ of up to £300 each are available to put towards new partnership projects developed by an arts or cultural organisation working alongside a community/older people-focused organisation to help make it easier for older people to access the arts.

Previous HOP-funded projects have achieved a variety of outcomes, including a reduction in social isolation by facilitating activities outside the home, improved mental stimulation, increased levels of physical activity and breaking down barriers for older people using new technology.

‘HOP Pot’ grants have funded some fantastic projects including intergenerational creative play sessions, a cultural sharing event in L8, and a Men! Dancing! filmmaking project.

Applications are now open!

We are delighted to announce that applications for a new round of ‘HOP Pot’ grants are now open.

The theme for this round of grants is ‘a celebration of life’. January is Celebration of Life month and we think this is a lovely theme to mark the beginning of a new year as well as complementing our network values to celebrate ageing and the positive contributions of older people to society.

Celebration of Life month reminds us to be open to learning, new experiences, and living life to its fullest.

This theme is open to interpretation and we would like to see projects which celebrate the lives and creativity of older people. The HOP Pot offers funds of up to £300 for organisations to deliver activity for older people which acknowledges this theme.

We want to encourage as broad a range of activities as possible. There are no set criteria for how you might use the HOP Pot grant; instead, we’re excited to hear your ideas as to where you think it will add the most value.

Apply

  • Bids must be submitted by an arts/cultural organisation and community/older people-focused organisation working in partnership (either organisation may make the application).
  • Bids must show how the funding will be used to break down barriers that older people face in accessing cultural provision.
  • Funds must be used for new, additional activity, and not as a replacement for core funding.
  • Applicants must commit to documenting the participation of older people in arts activities resulting from the grant, take part in evaluation and present their learning with other HOP network members.
  • Project activity must be complete by week commencing 27 April 2020.

Click here to view the full Guidance for Applicants including the terms of the grant.

Download the application form: HOP-Pot-Application-Form-Jan-2020.

The deadline for applications is Friday 14 February 2020.

Please submit your application by the deadline specified to emma.riley@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or by post to Emma Riley, National Museums Liverpool, Midland Railway Building, 1 Peter Street, Liverpool, L1 6BL

The HOP film

The HOP film showcases what HOP is all about and features 2017’s round of HOP Pot projects, including Tai Chi sessions, Ukulele lessons and a cinema, memory and wellbeing project. Here from project leads and participants about how access to arts and cultural activity helps keep older people well.

If you’d like any more information about any of the projects featured, please get in touch!