… it’s the little things is a small grants programme of the difference, the official charity for NHS Borders. Applications are invited for projects up to £1,000 or between £1,000 and £10,000. 

This programme aims to support easy to implement changes that have an immediate positive impact on improving patient care. 

The Patient Care & Experience pathway aims to provide quick access to funding for ideas that: 

• Support better health and wellbeing of patients in hospital and/or the community; or 

• Enhance the experience of patients and visitors throughout the care journey. 

   

   

  Examples of supported projects 

  • enhanced patient information and resources 

  • preventative health-related activities related to diet, exercise or mental wellbeing. 

  • activities to support patients in their rehabilitation or care. 

  • activities for groups of patients with specific conditions or requirements 

  • certain medical devices or equipment 

  • small improvements to hospital or healthcare environments for patients 

  • art and design 

  • improvements related to accessibility of certain patient groups. 

  • signage and wayfinding 

  What we’re expecting 

  • direct benefit to NHS Borders patients in the hospitals or community 

  • be delivered within 6 months (up to £1,000) or 12 months (up to £10,000) of the grant being awarded. 

  • be straight-forward and simple to deliver. 

  • be a standalone initiative and not part of a larger project. 

   

  What we won’t fund 

  • projects which benefit only one patient 

  • medical devices or equipment which should be funded from NHS core budgets. 

  • medical equipment over £5,000 

  • furniture, fixtures and fittings that are not exclusively for patient use. 

  • laptops, tablets, mobile devices, pagers 

  • new items to replace existing equipment (including if lost or damaged) 

  • repairs, maintenance or service charges to devices/equipment/furniture/fixtures/fittings 

  • staff salaries or backfill, training or development. 

   

  Am I eligible? 

  Funding for 2023-24 is available to NHS Borders staff across the wards, services and departments which have a charity (‘endowment’) fund and a balance to support the proposal. The charity holds over 200 of these specific funds and they are managed locally by a Fund Manager. 

  How to apply 

  Please click the button below to be taken to the applications form, if you are not the fund manager then it will need be be endorsed by a fund manager before it can be progressed. We will then confirm that the request meets the charity’s eligibility and criteria for this grant programme. 

  Projects between £1,000 and £10,000 also require approval by the appropriate Quadrumvirate, which the charity will progress. 

  Contact 

  For further information or guidance, please e-mail funding.requests@borders.scot.nhs.uk 

  Grant T&Cs

  Please note that in the event your funding is awarded, you agree to abide by the conditions of the grant as outlined here: Grant Terms and Conditions. 

  To continue to the grant application itself please click below