Compassionate Cymru has announced the launch of a new grant fund aimed at fostering compassionate communities across Wales, supporting local initiatives focused on death, dying, and bereavement.

The Compassionate Communities Grant Fund is offering grants of up to £500 to help bring people together during some of life's most challenging times.

Compassionate Cymru, a movement committed to creating a considerate and caring nation, recognises the importance of a compassionate response when people face the challenges of death, dying, and bereavement.

Compassionate Cymru believes that by developing compassionate communities, Wales can become a place where people support one another when they need it the most.

To help spark and support these local initiatives, Compassionate Cymru has launched a small grants fund and is inviting applications for grants up to £500. The fund is designed to encourage the development of compassionate activities whether this is in a workplace, care home or in the local community.

Examples could be a small workplace wanting to start a group to support those whose lives have been affected by cancer, or an art project with people living in care homes who want to talk about end of life, or a tea and coffee morning to kick start a Death Cafe etc.

The grant programme, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and administrated by Age Cymru, is flexible, allowing it to be used for one-off events or ongoing programmes.

Activities can be held online or offline, depending on the needs of the local community.

Heather McLean, Director of Communities and Systems Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is privileged to support Compassionate Cymru and Age Cymru’s work to help ensure everyone receives the care and support they need at the end of their life and during bereavement in Wales.

“For people living with cancer, finding out that they are nearing the end of their life can be distressing. The right support can make the world of difference to people’s wellbeing.

“Local initiatives like the ones Compassionate Cymru is kickstarting will be a vital piece of the puzzle for helping ensure people in Wales have access to the right support for them, when they need it. And for anyone who needs support with a cancer diagnosis, Macmillan’s experts are just a phone call away to provide support, information or simply a listening ear.”

Further information and support on end-of-life care for patients and their loved ones can be found on the Macmillan website.

The free Macmillan Support Line is open 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 from 8am to 8pm.

Compassionate Cymru encourages communities across Wales to apply and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those navigating death, dying, and bereavement.

For more information and to apply online visit: www.compassionate.cymru, or email [email protected] or call 029 2043 1555. The closing date for applications is Friday, May 23.

Together, let’s create a Wales where people are supported, cared for, and compassionately connected when it matters most.