Recently awarded funds
In 2023, several impactful projects received funding to support vulnerable individuals and communities across the region. Gifted Women were awarded £10,000 to deliver a new employability programme designed for 13 women facing multiple disadvantages. This initiative focused on building confidence and practical skills in a supportive group setting, followed by personalised one-to-one support and access to work experience placements.
Hearts Together received £5,000 to fund its Supporting You project, which offered counselling support to relatives staying at their accommodation while their loved ones underwent medical treatment. Smaller grants of £1,000 were awarded to Dementia Friendly Parishes Around the Yealm, supporting 1:1 family care for over 40 families living with dementia across five South Hams parishes, and to Farms for City Children, enabling disadvantaged children from Plymouth to attend a wellbeing-focused residential farm experience promoting health, personal growth, and connection to nature.
Previous grants
Since 2016, a range of local charities and community initiatives received vital funding to support health, wellbeing, and inclusion from The Livewell Foundation. Dartmoor Zoo was granted £4,500 for its Connect and Thrive project, which piloted programmes to support individuals facing mental health challenges and social isolation. Community Health in Lipson (CHIL) received £5,000 to continue offering holistic, user-led mental health support across Plymouth. Saltstone Caring was awarded £15,000 to enhance support for older and vulnerable people in Kingsbridge and Salcombe, contributing to their Community Directory and wider outreach efforts.
Special Olympics Plymouth & District (SOPD) received £5,000 to expand sporting opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities, promoting wellbeing, inclusion and self-confidence. The Plymouth Parent Advocacy Project was granted £5,000 to deliver advocacy support for parents with learning disabilities navigating child protection and legal proceedings. Tavistock League of Friends received £10,000 to invest in hospital equipment and facility improvements, while Drake Sailing Club was awarded £2,000 to sustain sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.
Further grants included £1,500 to Plymouth Foyer for the purchase of bikes and safety gear for their young residents, encouraging physical activity and independence. The Zone received £5,000 to refurbish their busy waiting area, enhancing the experience of the thousands of young people who access their confidential support services each year.
"This gift will make a big difference to our small charity and allow us to continue providing vital support for people experiencing mental health issues across the City of Plymouth. We're all delighted."
Community Health in Lipson (CHIL)
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"Sport provides a life-changing and inspirational opportunity for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Given the chance to compete it highlights abilities, counteracts isolations and improves self esteem."
Special Olympics Plymouth (SPOD)
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"This money will go towards providing advocacy support for parents with a learning disability (or borderline learning disability) whose children are subject to child protection plans or legal proceedings within the family court."
Plymouth Parent Advocacy Project
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Case study: Friends and Families
Friends and Families shared how their grant enabled them to recruit a full-time Peer Support Worker (PSW) Apprentice and integrate an additional full-time Peer Support Apprentice into their team. Together, they supported every young person referred to the Friends and Families Peer Support Programme, whether through health professionals, support workers, parents/carers, or self-referral.
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£10,000 grant awarded
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26 young people supported
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100% live with special educational needs or disabilities
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65% also experience mental health challenges
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Over 10 two hour sessions per participant
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The Project
Each young person began their journey with a ‘Getting to Know Me’ appointment — a key first step in building a trusting relationship with their PSW. This also gave the PSW a chance to understand the young person’s interests, passions, and needs, forming the foundation of a tailored support plan.
In addition to one-to-one support, the Peer Support Workers took on an outreach role by attending three youth groups each week. These groups, which support young people with disabilities or special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who face barriers to community access, typically welcome 15–20 attendees. Through their regular presence, the PSWs were able to provide additional peer support and, in many cases, also offer support to parents and carers.
The Impact
“Our PSWs have encouraged and enabled them to be independent, confident, develop new friendships, explore new hobbies and learn about themselves.”
Support provided included:
DLA/PIP Applications | Grant and funding applications | Group work | Sensory Learning/workshops | Social Service referrals | Emotional wellbeing support | Learning about their diagnosis | Social integration | Parental emotional support | EHCP advice | School/education support | Public transport support | Activity/group engagement | Volunteering
Case study: Chronic Pain Coaching
Chronic Pain Coaching supports individuals living with chronic pain in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. The organisation offers a welcoming space for connection, peer support, and the development of self-management skills for those affected by long-term pain.
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£9,996 grant awarded
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67 participants
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78% increase in wellbeing
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Medication use dropped in 50% of particpants
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189 attendances across 39 sessions
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The Project
Each Pain Café session lasts two hours and is held in small groups of up to 15 participants. Sessions are facilitated by two trained pain coaches, all of whom have lived experience of chronic pain and now successfully manage their condition without medication. These coaches provide practical guidance, resources, and encouragement to help individuals navigate everyday challenges.
The programme promotes gentle exercise as part of a holistic approach to lifestyle improvement, alongside expert advice on key areas such as sleep and pain management strategies. The most popular event was a pain café held in a gym, which drew strong attendance and highlighted the value of accessible, movement-based interventions for those living with persistent pain.
The Impact
“I find comfort in talking about my pain openly without feeling like a burden”
Case study: Far Flung
Far Flung is a pioneering inclusive arts company based in Plymouth, made up of a collective of Disabled, Neurodivergent, and non-disabled artists. Since 2015, they have been creating accessible workshops and performances by and for Disabled people, both locally and beyond.
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£5,490 grant awarded
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26 participants
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41 participant engagemements
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Local charity collaboration
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Sessions held three days a week
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The Project
Thanks to a grant from the foundation, Far Flung delivered two inspiring projects:
Moving Forwards, held on Friday mornings, offered accessible movement sessions focused on fitness, stretching, music-making, and social connection. The sessions proved so popular that a waiting list soon formed, with parents and carers eager to sign up.
Back to Your Mat took place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and provided yoga and mindfulness sessions, supported by Improving Lives Plymouth and Better Futures. These sessions were designed specifically for older people and individuals with disabilities.
The Impact
"The sessions were extremely well run, with clear explanations and accessible options. These sessions were fabulous—not just for exercise, but for the sense of togetherness and companionship they provided."
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"I have not taken part in group sessions since COVID and have felt quite isolated. The way the sessions were structured created a welcoming and safe feel. I felt able to take part with ease and could chat to others after."
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“It’s helped with communication and engaging with others… It’s amazing to see.”
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Case study: Livewell Southwest
Livewell Foundation grants are available to support internal projects that enhance patient care, staff wellbeing, or service innovation across Livewell Southwest.
These grants help fund items or initiatives not typically covered by NHS budgets - such as therapy tools, outdoor spaces, training resources, or digital equipment.
Whether improving recovery environments or boosting staff morale, each grant is designed to make a meaningful difference. If you have an idea that could benefit your team or service, speak to your line manager in the first instance to explore whether funding through the Livewell Foundation might be available.
The Project: A Garden for Greenfields
Greenfields is a nine-bed recovery unit offering 24/7 care for women with severe and enduring mental health challenges. Many of the women supported have spent time in more secure settings or struggled to function at home. In 2024, funding from the Livewell Foundation helped the service transform an underused outdoor space into a safe, calming and accessible garden that promotes healing, choice, social interaction and mindfulness.
The Impact
“The transformation reminds us why we do what we do. We’re deeply grateful for the support that made this possible - it’s genuinely enriched lives.”
The garden has quickly become a vital part of daily life for many patients, supporting their routines, recovery journeys and mental wellbeing. Since its completion, staff have observed increased engagement, improved mood, and more moments of joy and connection during outdoor sessions.
The space has also benefited staff morale and strengthened Greenfields' identity as a truly person-centred service. It offers a fresh context for therapeutic conversations and helps build trust between patients and professionals.
The Project: Equipment for Plym Bridge House
lym Bridge House is a 12-bed, purpose-built psychiatric unit in north Plymouth, providing high-quality, short-term care for young people with severe mental health problems or mental illness. The multidisciplinary team offers compassionate, structured support in a safe and therapeutic environment.
A grant from the Livewell Foundation funded the installation of an interactive wall in the unit’s group games room. Designed to promote movement, sensory engagement and social interaction, the wall offers a fun, immersive experience through games that respond to touch, light and motion. The project aimed to get young people more physically active while aligning with trauma-informed approaches and supporting sensory needs—especially for those with autism or difficulties expressing emotions.
The Impact
“It’s colourful, safe and fun—but also a serious tool for helping young people regulate, express themselves and engage. It’s changed the energy of the room, and how we work together in it.”
The wall has transformed the atmosphere of the games room, increasing participation, reducing agitation, and creating joyful moments of connection between staff and young people. Staff have observed increased willingness to join group activities, enhanced mood, and better emotional regulation, with several young people now choosing to use the space daily.
For those who find verbal communication difficult, the wall offers a low-demand but meaningful way to interact and build trust. It has also proven to be a useful tool for supporting assessments of motor coordination and for introducing movement in a non-clinical, engaging way.