2025/26 Funding Programme:

Leeds Hospitals Charity support NHS staff to deliver the best care for over a million patients and their families each year. Working with local communities, schools and businesses, each year we provide over £3 million in additional funding to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We’re excited to launch a range of funding opportunities that will be available throughout 2025/26. These opportunities will be open to all staff across all hospitals.

Find out more: Funding Opportunities

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The first new funding opportunity will focus on enhancing the healing environment and improving patient experience. Details about this can be found below:

Patient Experience: Enhancing the Healing Environment

Stage 1 Application Window Open: 6 May 2025 – 9 June 2025

We are interested in funding projects that will help to provide the best possible experience for patients. We encourage proposals that take a holistic view of patient care, creating creative and therapeutic spaces and healing environments.

Think about projects focused on care, compassion, and the moments that matter to patients – their comfort during treatment, their emotional wellbeing, and creating a nurturing atmosphere that promotes recovery.

We welcome innovative ideas integrating art, nature, or other sensory elements. Consider collaborating with local community organisations to bring your vision to life.

Past funded projects improving patient experience:

• Comfort Care Packs
• Therapeutic lifelike cats/dogs/kittens and dolls for older patients and people living with Dementia
• Renovation of the Snowdrop Suite
• Neurologic Music Therapy

Find out more: Patient Experience: Enhancing the Healing Environment

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Funding opportunities launching later this year (more information to follow soon):

Research: Improving Outcomes in Mental Health for Children & Young People - Applications Open June 2025

Innovation in Healthcare - Applications Open September 2025 

Health Inequalities: Improving Equity in Treatment and Care - Applications Open October 2025

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Our Impact

Since the launch of our strategy in 2021 we have approved over 1100 applications, totalling over £25.5 million. We’re reaching more staff across all hospitals through these open funding opportunities and this funding has the potential to make a difference to over two million patients, families and staff.

In April 2024 we introduced a new funding model which included themed funding  calls. We’re pleased to report that since the launch of this streamlined programme, staff have had the opportunity to apply for funding through ten different funding opportunities throughout the year. These projects have already begun to make a difference to patients, families and staff across Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

In addition to the open funding opportunities, we support projects through several other funding streams.

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Donations help fund continuation of Comfort Care Pack initiative across Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Thanks to donations, we are delighted to be able to continue to fund and support the Comfort Care Packs initiative, ensuring that families of end-of-life patients across Leeds Teaching Hospitals receive essential care items during difficult times.

Originally launched in 2015, the packs - which include practical items such as toothbrushes, socks, fans, and pens - were initially designed for families of oncology patients. However, thanks to continued funding and support from Leeds Hospitals Charity donors, the initiative has expanded to serve all end-of-life patients across all hospitals since 2019.

Claire Iwaniszak, Clinical Educator in the Palliative Care Team, who has led the project since its inception, said: “Since 2019, Leeds Hospitals Charity has funded over 3,000 comfort care packs, with over 2,000 provided directly to families. These have been an invaluable resource, offering support during incredibly difficult time.

The feedback that I've had over the years is always really positive. A recent comment from a family member said, “When I was with my dad at the end of his life, I felt someone had really taken the time to think about what I might need, when I had other things to think about. So, thank you so much.”

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Charity Engagement Sessions

We were thrilled with the success of our engagement sessions held across various hospital sites throughout 2024 and the start of 2025. These sessions provided a fantastic opportunity to meet and chat with staff across the Trust and share opportunities on how we can continue to support patients, families and staff across Leeds Teaching Hospital.

We have more engagement sessions planned throughout 2025 and will be hosting stalls celebrating International Midwives Day on the 6 May at LGI and International Nurses Day on the 12 May at Seacroft and the Bexley Wing, so please do pop down and see us.

Are you aware of any upcoming meetings or opportunities that could benefit from our attendance?

We are always on the lookout for the chance to engage with staff. If you know of any opportunities, please share them with us. Your insights and suggestions are invaluable in helping us stay connected and informed. Let's work together to ensure we don't miss out on any chance to grow and support each other.

Contact the Grants Team on 0113 539 7091 or email [email protected]

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Leeds Hospitals Charity is proud to fund a range of projects across Leeds Teaching Hospitals to make a real difference to patients, families, and staff.

Stay tuned for more updates and further funding opportunities throughout the year!

Best wishes,

Becky, Charlotte, Alex, Jess & Andrea