BNSSG Communities Against Cancer

Empowering local communities to take action on cancer inequality

Cancer doesn’t affect everyone equally— but together, we can change that. The BNSSG Communities Against Cancer (CAC) fund supports community groups and grassroot organisations across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area to reduce disparities in cancer prevention and early diagnosis.

The project is funded by the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance via the VCSE Alliance, and overseen by the BNSSG Integrated Care Board (ICB) Cancer Team.

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APPLICATION GUIDE

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Before you start your application, please take a moment to download and read the Application Guide.

VCSE organisations operating in the BNSSG area, but not in Inner City and East Bristol (ICE), are welcome to apply. BNSSG CAC does not fund projects in ICE, as similar work in that area is being delivered by other organisations. However, organisations registered within the ICE area may apply if their proposed projects are carried out outside ICE or serve communities outside ICE.

Although the project is coordinated by the Chinese Community Wellbeing Society, it does not only serve the Chinese community. BNSSG CAC aims to serve all community groups in the BNSSG area outside of ICE, with a particular focus on underserved groups listed below in reducing health inequalities.

People living in areas of deprivation 
People on low incomes 
People experiencing mental health challenges 
People who are neuro-diverse 
People who are digitally excluded 
People affected by substance misuse 
People from LGBTQIA+ communities 
People who experience ethnic health inequalities  
People from Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater communities 
Others, please specify

The project aims at giving everyone a fair chance to prevent cancer and find it early. We want to support project that:

Raise awareness of cancer signs and symptoms
Encourage more people to take part in cancer screening
Help people understand how healthier lifestyle choices can reduce their cancer risk
Build community confidence in accessing and speaking with health professionals

Everyone deserves the best chance of preventing cancer and finding it early. However, not everyone has the same opportunities to stay healthy and get the care they need. These unfair and avoidable differences are known as health inequalities.

Certain groups in the society are more likely to face these challenges. These include people living in deprived areas or on low incomes, people from some ethnic backgrounds, and those who are digitally excluded. They also include people from LGBTQIA+ communities, traveller communities, as well as people experiencing mental health challenges, neurodiversity, or substance misuse.

These barriers mean that people are less likely to know the signs of cancer, take part in screening, or see a doctor early. As a result, some people have worse health outcomes. For example, data shows that people in the most deprived areas are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer late, when it is harder to treat.

These grants are therefore being offered to address these challenges.

Interested in cancer inequalities? Download our curated list of studies here.

You can request between £500-£10,000. Monies awarded will be paid directly to the successful organisation.

Please submit your application by 20 February 2026. Applicants will be notified of the results within one month.

FAQ

We’ll continue to update this section with additional questions as new enquiries come in.

Can we apply to this fund if we’ve also applied for to the SWAG Small Grant Scheme?

Yes. You are still eligible to apply, even if you have already submitted a SWAG Small Grant application. Having an existing SWAG application does not prevent you from submitting a proposal to CAC.

Can we submit the same project idea to both this fund and the SWAG Small Grant Scheme?

It’s not recommended to submit the same project to both schemes. If you are still waiting for a SWAG decision, you can mention this in your application and explain how the proposed CAC‑funded project would complement or extend the work planned under the SWAG grant.

What is the expected duration of the project? When should the funding be spent by?

Project duration may vary, but we expect all awarded funding to be spent within one year. The CAC is a two‑year programme with two funding rounds, and this is the first round within that two‑year period.

When can the project start?

Projects may begin at any time after 1 April 2026.

What are the requirements for cancer awareness training? Will you provide information on training, or should applicants find their own?

We can signpost applicants to publicly available training, including resources offered by organisations such as Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. Applicants are encouraged to choose training that is most relevant to their project. There is no requirement regarding the length or the type of cancer training, as long as the project lead or team has completed some form of cancer awareness training appropriate to the work being delivered.

What is the approximate size of the total funding pot?

The total funding pot is approximately £55,000 for the first year.

Are we eligible to apply if we have no clinical training or previous cancer‑related project experience?

Yes. Applicants do not need a clinical background or prior experience in cancer‑related projects. The key focus is on how you plan to engage with your community and address the barriers they face around cancer prevention and early diagnosis. Projects do not necessarily need to involve clinical information; for example, they may focus on promoting healthy living and helping communities understand how lifestyle changes can reduce cancer risk. If cancer is considered a taboo topic within your community, developing creative approaches or resources to help open up conversations may also be valuable.