The Creative Wellbeing Fund
In partnership with the Surrey Cultural Partnership, CFSurrey has set up the Creative Wellbeing Fund, made possible by a group of supporters who share our belief in the transformative power of creativity.
This fund supports small and medium-sized charities across Surrey using music, arts, and culture to improve health and wellbeing in people of all ages. By investing in creative projects, the fund brings joy, connection, and opportunities for self-expression to young people who are often underserved or isolated, while also helping organisations build capacity and engage more effectively with their communities.
About The Fund
Key priorities that guide this work:
Using creativity to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the most vulnerable.
Celebrating our diversity and shared history through music, arts and culture.
Easing loneliness and promoting social cohesion through creative engagement.
Empowering marginalised communities to tell their stories in imaginative and meaningful ways.
The need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the music, arts and culture sector, through capacity building.
At CFSurrey, we believe that arts, culture, and heritage are not just “nice to have”, they are essential for mental and physical wellbeing. Everyone in Surrey should have the opportunity to engage creatively and experience the joy and benefits that come from expressing themselves. Through this fund, we aim to make Surrey stronger and fairer, supporting organisations that make a real difference and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available, awarded for one-year or two-year projects. Smaller applications are also very welcome, and we encourage organisations of all sizes to apply.
Who Can Apply
The Creative Wellbeing Fund can award grants to a wide range of organisations, including charities, community groups, CICs, and CIOs. See our eligibility criteria for further information.
The fund cannot support projects which do not involve expanding engagement to a wider community or building organisational capacity.
What We Fund
The Creative Wellbeing Fund supports arts, culture, and heritage projects that reach people who are currently unable to participate, ensuring more individuals in Surrey can experience the benefits of creative engagement. Arts and culture include music, dance, opera, theatre, visual arts, painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, literature, craft, libraries and museums (not owned by SCC).
This year, Creative Wellbeing grants will focus on:
Engaging new participants or audiences
Supporting arts and culture organisations to reach people who would benefit most, helping to widen participation across Surrey.
Building organisational capacity
Helping music, arts and cultural organisations improve their ability to measure and evaluate impact, enhance fundraising, and increase financial sustainability for the future.
Project Examples
Music, dance, or theatre workshops for young people experiencing isolation or disadvantage.
Pop-up exhibitions or performances in local community spaces to engage new audiences.
Community art projects that bring together diverse neighbourhoods.
Developing evaluation tools to measure the social or wellbeing benefits of creative projects.
Outreach programmes in schools or care settings to widen access to arts and cultural experiences.
Training staff or volunteers in monitoring, reporting, and fundraising techniques.
Creating partnerships that support long-term stability and community impact.
How to Apply
Start an application via the Community Foundation for Surrey Expression of Interest process. Eligible projects will be invited to make a full application.
Key Dates
Expression of Interest Open: 25th May 2026
Expression of Interest Close: 2nd July 2026
Full Applications Deadline: 1st September 2026
Additional Support
Applicants who would welcome pro bono support with business or financial planning as part of their work can request support from our Funder Plus programme.
Organisations seeking funds can also apply to all our funds via the usual deadlines under the Main Grants programme,
How To Donate
If you would like to support The Creative Wellbeing Fund please contact us or visit our donation page.
Who to talk to
For any enquiries relating to the Creative Wellbeing Fund, please contact Amy, our Fund Development Manager.
Amy Lee
(She/Her)
Fund Development Manager
01483 906383
amy@cfsurrey.org.uk
Monday - Thursday