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Men’s Health Community Fund

The Men’s Health Community Fund (MHCF) is a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Movember, and People’s Health Trust (PHT) combining government commitment with philanthropic expertise to support community-based men’s health across England. The fund supports delivery of the Men’s Health Strategy for England by investing in preventative, community-led approaches that improve health and wellbeing and build understanding of what works to engage men. It also aims to generate practical evidence on improving engagement, help-seeking and reducing health inequalities among men and boys to inform future policy, commissioning and system change.

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Contents

Summary

Funding Structure 

The fund is made up of three separate funding streams, each with a distinct focus and target group – but with the overarching goal of supporting men to prioritise their mental and physical wellbeing and seek help when needed.  

  1. DHSC funding envelope (up to £3 million): supports programmes for two groups: men aged 35–59 who are unemployed, economically inactive or facing economic precarity; and older men (60+) experiencing key life transitions (e.g. retirement, bereavement, relationship breakdown, caring responsibilities etc.). 

  2. Movember funding envelope (£3 million): supports programmes for young men aged 16–35, with a focus on community-based approaches that strengthen social connection and encourage men to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing – seeking help when needed.   

  3. People’s Health Trust funding envelope (£300,000, with fundraising planned to increase to up to £1.25m): supports programmes for men working in industry.  

  • Please note DHSC may not award the full amount, subject to final programme requirements, affordability and value for money.

  • If you wish to apply for Movember funding, you must apply directly via the Movember website.

  • People’s Health Trust funding pot will open later in the year. 

Rationale 

As highlighted in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, many men across England do not access support for health concerns early enough, contributing to poorer health outcomes and significant inequalities. Barriers such as stigma around help-seeking, restrictive masculine norms, social isolation, low health literacy, limited trust in services and wider social and economic pressures can all shape whether men feel able or willing to seek support.  

These barriers do not operate in isolation. Men who experience them most acutely are also more likely to face overlapping forms of disadvantage, which compound their impact. The resulting inequalities are stark: men living in the most deprived areas of England die on average more than 10 years earlier than those in the least deprived areas. Addressing these intersecting factors is therefore critical to improving outcomes and reducing avoidable variation in men’s health. 

Across the MHCF, partners have aligned to cover this challenge across the life course. Movember is focused on younger men aged 16–35, with an emphasis on strengthening social connection and encouraging men to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing – seeking help when needed. People’s Health Trust will focus on men working in industry; DHSC’s focus complements this by targeting men aged 35 and over who are unemployed, economically inactive, or facing economic precarity, as well as men in later life. Together, this provides more comprehensive coverage of the different points at which men’s health risks emerge and escalate, helping to generate evidence on what works for different groups of men. 

Within this context, DHSC’s focus is on two cohorts where these challenges are particularly pronounced, and where gaps remained in the Strategy: 

  1. Men who are unemployed, economically inactive or facing economic precarity are at heightened risk of poorer health and wider disadvantage. Evidence from England shows that unemployment and economic inactivity are strongly associated with worsening self-reported health over time, while wider evidence links economic inactivity to work-limiting ill health, precarious employment to poorer mental wellbeing, and unemployment among men to lower engagement with health services. Supporting this cohort also aligns with government ambitions on growth and labour market participation, recognising poor health as a key barrier to returning to work.  

  2. Older men may face particular risks to their health and wellbeing, including being less likely to report loneliness and more likely to experience challenges engaging with support. These risks can be heightened during key life transitions – such as retirement, bereavement and changes in relationships or living circumstances – which can disrupt social connections, identity and daily routines, increasing the likelihood of loneliness and social isolation. 

Given the ongoing challenges in engaging these groups through traditional services, there is growing evidence that community-based, non-clinical approaches can successfully engage men about their health. Delivery through trusted, community settings can provide more accessible and acceptable routes into support for those who are otherwise disengaged. However, there are gaps in the evidence. While community-led approaches show promise, there is limited understanding of what works, for whom, in which contexts, and why.  

The Men’s Health Community Fund is designed to address this gap by generating practical learning. It focuses on men facing intersecting forms of disadvantage who are not well served by services that assume a baseline level of health literacy and ability to engage. The aim is to build robust, transferable evidence on how community-based approaches can reach these groups and to better understand the mechanisms that drive improved engagement and outcomes to inform future health policy, commissioning and service design. 

Funding is being provided on a one‑off basis to support innovation, learning and evidence‑building in this area. 

Who is this opportunity is geared towards? 

This fund is designed for community voluntary sector organisations (VCSEs) in England that are already doing meaningful work with men and who want to strengthen, develop and share learning about what makes that work effective. We are particularly looking for organisations with strong community trust, lived-experience-informed approaches and existing reach into communities of men and boys who may not see services as relevant, trusted or accessible, or who are at an early stage of recognising their own health needs.  

This opportunity would be particularly relevant for organisations that:  

  • have established trusted relationships and meaningful connections with specific communities of men and are embedded within those communities 

  • have specific expertise in designing and delivering work for men, rather than general community provision 

  • use insight, evidence, practitioner knowledge and lived experience to shape and improve their work, including learning from previous delivery and engagement with the communities they serve  

  • have a strong understanding of the wider inequalities affecting men’s health and wellbeing, including the role of poverty, exclusion, discrimination and gender norms in shaping health outcomes 

  • are open to learning, collaboration and reflective practice, including working alongside researchers, evaluators and peer organisations to strengthen understanding of what works and why in the sector.  

Illustrative examples include prevention-focused work in a community based, non-clinical settings such as peer-led groups, sports or gaming initiatives, creative arts or nature-based initiatives, or faith-based peer support groups. These examples are not exhaustive.  

Which voluntary organisations are eligible? 

DHSC will only award grants to organisations that have been established for a minimum of three months. Eligible organisations must be one of the following: 

  1. Incorporated Organisations 

  • Charity registered in England, Scotland or Wales 

  • Charitable incorporated organisation 

  • Company limited by guarantee 

  • Community interest company limited by guarantee (not shares) 

  • Charitable community benefit society 

  • Community benefit society with a charitable asset lock and clearly defined members   

     2. Unincorporated Organisations / Constituted Community Organisations 

  • A constituted group, voluntary organisation, or association with a social or charitable purpose   

All eligible organisations must have a minimum of three trustees, directors, or management committee members who are not related to each other, all aged over 18. Where this requirement is not met at the time of application, it must be satisfied within three months of any grant offer and before any funds are released.   

Exclusions: DHSC will not award funds to companies limited by shares or limited liability partnerships.  

Application Routes 

Funding rounds will open at different times across partners. DHSC and Movember funding pots will open together on 22 June 2026.  

  • This application process is for DHSC funding only. 

  • Applications for Movember funding must be submitted directly via the Movember website. 

  • The People’s Health Trust funding pot will launch separately later in the year, with its own application process.  

Evaluation 

We will be running an evaluation of this programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to understand what works and why, contributing to a national evidence base that will inform how men’s health services are designed and commissioned in the future.  

Due Diligence

Any award is subject to proportionate due diligence, including legal status, bank account, governance, safeguarding, and the right to pause payments if performance or assurance is weak.

Eligibility

Eligibility & Who Can Apply:

Please note, this application process is for DHSC funding only.

Organisational Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must: 

  • Be delivering programmes in England

  • Have the legal capacity and power to accept funds and enter into the Grant Agreement with DHSC if successful

  • Have previous experience designing and delivering at least one programme or service specifically for men and/or boys, with evidence of reach and/or outcomes. 

  • Demonstrate relevant expertise, experience or a clear proof of concept for the proposed work.

  • Align with appropriate ethical standards and demonstrate suitable safeguarding arrangements for participants 

Programme Eligibility:

The proposed programme must: 

  • Focus primarily on prevention and early intervention, delivered through community-based and non-clinical approaches, rather than clinical treatment or crisis-response services.

  • Aim to improve men and boys’ willingness and confidence to talk about health concerns and seek support, with the intention of improving self-reported mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

  • Be grounded in community-based engagement. While digital elements may complement delivery, interventions that are solely online or digital in nature are not eligible. 

  • Be evidence-informed in programme design, drawing on relevant data, practitioner insight, lived experience, community engagement or previous delivery learning. Formal academic research is not a prerequisite.

  • Primarily reach men who are underserved by formal health systems, including those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, social isolation or other forms of structural disadvantage. 

  • Recognise that men’s health outcomes are shaped by wider social and economic inequalities, as well as gender norms that influence how men understand and engage with their health, and ideally promote positive, healthy norms around help-seeking, connection and wellbeing.

  • Demonstrate potential to generate transferable learning relevant to wider community practice, policy or systems change. 

Target Group Eligibility

The proposed programme must meet both steps below: 

Step 1 – Choose your primary target group (select one only)

Your programme must focus on one of the following groups: 

  • Option 1: Men aged 35–59 who are economically inactive, unemployed, or facing economic precarity

  • Option 2: Older men (60+) experiencing key life transitions (e.g. retirement, bereavement, relationship breakdown, caring responsibilities etc.)

Step 2 – Identify the inequality your programme addresses 

Within your selected target group above, you must apply under at least one inequality route:

Route A – population-based inequity – Men who face barriers to accessing appropriate support due to factors such as stigma, discrimination, service accessibility, or unmet needs.

 Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM)

  • men with disabilities

  • men with special educational needs and autistic men

  • men from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

  • men who are homeless or rough sleeping

  • men from coastal areas

Route B – place-based inequity – Programmes must serve men such that at least 80% of those reached are from disadvantaged communities (living in areas classified within IMD deciles 1–5). Please use the IMD Decile Eligiblity Checker to confirm whether the areas your programme serves meet this criterion.

Examples could include, for instance, unemployed autistic men in your area, or recently retired men living in areas within IMD deciles 1-5.

Participation and learning requirements

Successful organisations must be willing and able to:

  • Engage in an overarching programme evaluation with DHSC and its contractor(s) working on behalf of DHSC, including data collection, as well as participation in shared learning (community of practice) activity

  • Engage with proportionate communications activity, including supporting case studies, publicity and potential Ministerial or senior official visits where appropriate

  • Provide regular updates on project delivery, milestones, learning and expenditure throughout the funding period

Other relevant programmes:

If you are not eligible for this grant but are interested in applying for funding for programmes targeting suicide prevention in middle aged men, details of a separate fund will be available later in the year.

Objectives

The specific objectives of DHSC’s funding in the Men’s Health Community Fund are to surface, support, scale and amplify community-led initiatives in non-clinical settings that:  

  • Encourage men to express health concerns and seek support earlier, including through peers, community networks and pathways into health services  

  • Improve self-reported mental and physical health and wellbeing, particularly for men experiencing health inequalities  

  • Generate practical learning on how different community-based approaches can engage men effectively as part of preventative health strategies, to inform future policy, commissioning and system design

Dates

Call for Applications Released 

  • 22 June 2026 

Round 1 

  • Q&A Webinar: 25 June 10:00 - 11:00 AM, click here to join 

  • Round 1 Application Deadline: 15 July 5:00 PM 

  • Assessment and Shortlisting of Applications: 16 July - 7 August 2026 

  • Notification of Round 1 outcome: 10 - 11 August 2026  

Round 2 – Full Application 

  • Round 2 Opens: 14 August 2026 

  • Round 2 Deadline: 11 September 2026 5:00 PM 

  • Assessment of Full Applications: September – October 2026 

  • Notification of Outcome of Round 2: w/c 27 October 2026  

Contracting Period 

  • November - December 2026 (approx.)  

Earliest Project Start Date 

  • January 2027 

Please note, DHSC funding will be paid in quarterly instalments. Funding is allocated by financial year and must be spent within the financial year in which it is awarded; underspends cannot be carried forward. All expenditure must sit within the overall delivery period up to March 2029.

How to apply

This application process is for DHSC funding only.

The Movember funding pot is not part of this application process. Please visit Movember’s website for details on how to apply.

The People’s Health Trust funding pot is not part of this application process and will open later in the year. Please visit the People’s Health Trust website for details on how to apply.

Application process 

Step 1: Eligibility screening

  • Complete the short yes/no eligibility screening form to confirm that your organisation meets the eligibility criteria. This will include listing the area(s) your programme will serve, using the IMD Decile Eligibility Checker.

  • If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be asked to provide your email address and you should proceed with the application.

  • If you do not meet the criteria, you will not be asked to provide your email address and you should not proceed with the application.

Step 2: Application Round 1

  • If eligible, return to this page and complete the application questions in full.

  • Only applications that successfully complete both the eligibility screening form and the application form will be considered.

  • Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be taken forward.

 Step 3: Full Application Round 2

  • Organisations that meet the criteria and submit a strong Round 1 application will be invited to submit a full application at Round 2.

  • Round 2 will involve a more detailed assessment, including submission of a theory of change. Guidance on developing a theory of change is available here: Core Theory of Change – TASO

Important information

  • Applicants can only submit one application to the DHSC funding pot.

  • Please answer all questions accurately and honestly. Responses provided at this stage will be cross‑checked against information submitted later in the application process and, where relevant, during due diligence. Providing misleading or inaccurate responses may result in your application being excluded at a later stage.

Supporting information

Wider context 

This programme supports the government’s Health Mission and the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, in particular: 

  • the shift from sickness to prevention, by supporting earlier help‑seeking

  • the shift from hospital to community, by strengthening community‑based routes to support

  • action to reduce health inequalities, by improving engagement among men least likely to access help 

Relevant policy links: 

Assessment criteria 

Please note questions 1-4 are not scored; these seek to confirm eligibility and are pass/fail.   

Understanding of Target Group & Health Inequalities (20%) 

  • Q5. Which inequalities or barriers does this group face? 

  • That you have a specific, grounded understanding of the men you intend to work with and why they experience poorer health outcomes or face barriers to accessing support. 

Organisational Fit (10%) 

  • Q6. Overview of Organisation 

  • That working with men is established within the organisation's mission and delivery. The proposed programme is a natural extension of existing purpose and work, not a new or peripheral area of activity.  

Community Reach & Trust (20%) 

  • Q7: What existing relationships do you have with the community you want to support? 

  • That your organisation already has an established, evidenced, trusted presence with the men you propose to work with. Describe existing relationships, how you engage them and why they trust you.  

Alignment with Programme Objectives (25%) 

  • Q8: How are you planning to achieve change? 

  • That you have clearly explained how your planned activities are expected to bring about the outcomes you are aiming for. Explain clearly how your initiative will lead to improved help-seeking and/or better mental / physical health outcomes for your target group, and what the role of community-based settings are in delivering these outcomes for your target group.  

Evidence Base & Programme Design (20%) 

  • Q9: What evidence has informed your programme design? 

  • That your selected approach is informed by relevant data, prior delivery learning or lived experience and how this learning provides confidence in the approach selected.  

Unique Contribution (5%) 

  • Q5-10 

  • That the organisation or proposed programme offers a distinct perspective, approach or reach that would add value to the funded cohort as a whole. E.g. working with a specific community of men not well represented elsewhere, operating in an underrepresented geography, bringing a distinctive delivery model, or offering lived-experience leadership that strengthens the diversity and breadth of learning across the MHCF.  

 Scoring matrix

Each question will be scored based on how well they meet the threshold for the descriptor, weighted accordingly and totalled out of 25 to produce a ranked order of submissions.  

1 - Poor 

  • No evidenced community presence with men. There is no link to improved help-seeking or mental / physical health outcomes. No relevant data or delivery learning cited. The barriers facing the men in the prioritised group are not described. 

2 - Weak 

  • Community presence is described but not evidenced as established or trusted. Help-seeking is referenced but peripheral to the programme. Evidence is generic with no clear link from activities to outcomes. Prioritised community or population is identified but the barriers to accessing support are not explained. 

3 - Meets threshold 

  • Community presence is evidenced but limited in depth or scope. Help-seeking link is plausible but underdeveloped. The approach draws on some relevant data or delivery learning with gaps. Community or population group and barriers to accessing support are identified but the case for a community-based response lacks depth. 

 4 - Strong 

  • Community relationships are established, trusted and pre-exist the application. The pathway to improved help-seeking and mental / physical health outcomes is credibly explained. Approach is grounded in relevant data or delivery learning with a clear link from activities to outcomes. Specific account of the prioritised community or population and why they face barriers to accessing support is provided. 

5 - Excellent 

  • Organisation is deeply embedded in the target community and demonstrably trusted by the men it proposes to serve. Help-seeking pathway is compelling and well-reasoned. Approach is strongly grounded in relevant data or delivery learning. Precise, well-evidenced account of the prioritised group and the barriers they face to accessing support is provided. 

Contact 

For all enquiries that cannot be addressed by either our FAQs or during our Q&A Webinar on 25 June at 10:00 AM, please contact our  mailbox:MHCF@dhsc.gov.uk

FAQs

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