Small Grant Scheme

HMPPS Leeds are looking to provide a pen pal service for prisoners who have no contact with family or friends. Having regular contact with a pen pal will help to establish meaningful connections to the outside world. The aim is to alleviate feelings of loneliness which will in turn promote positive mental health, well-being and self-esteem. This support can increase a service user’s sense of value and potential for their future.

The funding available for this award is £2,250

The project will run for approximately for 12 months from 1st March 2025 to 28th February 2026.

Structure and length of the activities:

The grant recipient is expected to arrange the Pen pal service to provide an opportunity for service users in HMP Leeds with no family contact to have a pen pal.

Requirements for the providers

· To provide pen pal letters each month to up to 15 service users from trained individuals providing the service.

· Individuals participating in the activities will need to provide documented evidence of what training and risk assessment they hold.

· Provide the plan how the steps for the safeguarding will be implemented.

· To agree that the reply letters are vetted on the services side and will go through censors on arrival to the jail.

The expected outcomes:

Improved mental health and well-being.

· Build positive relationships

· Increased sense of value

The total grant amount will be paid in advance, provided that the grant recipient has given sufficient assurance that the grant will be used for the stated purpose.

Funding organisation
His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service

Who can apply:

The award is open to VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations)

The voluntary sector organisation(s) or consortium receiving the grant from HMPPS, should be a registered charity or social enterprise. The funding will only be given to organisations where their annual turnover is at least twice the amount of the funding that they are seeking.

How much you can get
From £1,000 to £2,250

Total size of grant scheme
£2,250

Closing date
9 February 2025, 11:59pm (Midnight)

Further information and to make an application go to: HMPPS Small Grants Scheme Pen Pals project at HMP Leeds – GOV-UK Find a grant

Voluntary Action Leeds