Jack Petchey Places & Spaces Fund

Year One Applications Under Assessment

Thank you to all organisations who submitted an Expression of Interest to the Jack Petchey Places & Spaces Fund.

The Expression of Interest and Full Application stages for Year One have now closed. Applications are currently being assessed, with funding decisions due to be made by the Places & Spaces Fund decision-making panels in October 2026.

The Jack Petchey Places & Spaces Fund is a £2 million investment to help youth organisations and uniformed groups across London and Essex improve the spaces where young people spend their time, creating environments that are welcoming, inspiring and fit for purpose.

Grants of £5,000 – £25,000

For youth organisations and uniformed groups in London and Essex currently running the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme.

£2 million investment available over two years.

Successful projects must start in 2027 and be completed within 12 months.

Two Stage Application process.

The Expression of Interest stage has now closed. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application during August and September 2026.

What could your funding support?

Grants can be used for a wide range of indoor and outdoor space improvements. Here are some examples to inspire you:

1. Indoor room improvements: Chill-out zones/regulation spaces, workshop room upgrades, new library, sensory rooms.
2. Indoor new fixed equipment: Installation of recording studio, gym, training kitchen for young people.
3. Outdoor space improvement: Garden, playing courts (football, basketball, cricket, tennis, 1Wall).
4. Outdoor new fixed equipment: Playground, benches/tables, sun sails, outdoor gym, bike parking, skateboard ramps.
5. Maintenance and accessibility upgrades: Shower, bathroom, fixing leaking roofs to bring a room back into use, disabled/gender neutral toilets, improved access, chairlift.
6. Storage: Shed, portacabin or storage container.
7. Building efficiency upgrade: Solar panels, boilers, heating, air con, soundproofing, where these upgrades account for most of the budget.

For a list of what cannot be funded, see our FAQs.

Who can apply? 

For Year One of the fund, eligibility was limited to invited organisations meeting specific criteria on the Achievement Award Scheme. Please note that Educational Establishments are not eligible for this fund.

Key dates 

• Expression of Interest applications closed: 6 July 2026
• Full Applications closed: 30 September 2026
• Decision-making panels: October 2026
• Funded projects delivered from: January 2027

Current Status

The application process for Year One of the Places & Spaces Fund has now closed.

Applications are currently being assessed and considered by the Foundation’s decision-making panels.

Please continue to check this page for updates about the Places & Spaces Fund and information about future funding rounds.

Further resources