Jack Petchey Places & Spaces Fund
Sir Jack Petchey CBE believed that every young person deserves the chance to dream big – and the right environment to make those dreams possible.
Our new Places & Spaces Fund is built on that belief. It’s our new £2 million fund to help youth organisations and uniformed groups across London and Essex refurbish and improve the spaces where young people spend their time, so those spaces feel welcoming, inspiring and fit for purpose.
One of Sir Jack’s favourite quotes encourages us all to “Picture a world where every young person can dream great dreams and live up to their potential”. We want the Places & Spaces Fund to help create this world.
Read a personal message from Matt Rantell, Chair of Trustees and grandson of Sir Jack Petchey CBE, on why we’re launching the Places & Spaces Fund.
Matt Rantell’s personal message
Grants of £5,000 – £25,000
For youth organisations and uniformed groups in London and Essex currently running the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme.
Approximately £2 million investment available over two years.
Successful projects must start in 2027 and be completed within 12 months.
Two Stage Application process.
Expression of Interest Deadline: 6 July 2026
Apply now via the JPF Community Area
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:
- Indoor room improvements – Chill-out zones/regulation spaces, workshop room upgrades, new library, sensory rooms.
- Indoor new fixed equipment – Installation of recording studio, gym, training kitchen for young people.
- Outdoor space improvement – Garden, playing courts (football, basketball, cricket, tennis, 1Wall).
- Outdoor new fixed equipment – Playground, benches/tables, sun sails, outdoor gym, bike parking, skateboard ramps.
- Maintenance and accessibility upgrades – Shower, bathroom, fixing leaking roofs to bring a room back into use, disabled/gender neutral toilets, improved access, chairlift.
- Storage building efficiency upgrade – Shed, portacabin, storage container OR solar panels, boilers, heating, air con, soundproofing where these upgrades account for most of the budget.
- Other.
For a list of what cannot be funded, see our FAQs.
Who can apply?
If you received an invitation from us, the Expression of Interest will be waiting for you to apply in the JPF Community Area. Please check you also meet the following eligibility criteria before applying:
- Your organisation ran the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme in 2025 and are currently running it
- Your organisation has applied for a Leader Award Grant in 2025 and/or 2026
- Your organisation either owns or leases their buildings/premises/land in which they run services for young people
Please note: Educational Establishments are not eligible for this fund.
Not sure if your project is eligible?
If your premises arrangements are more complex and you are not sure if your organisation would be eligible, do submit your Expression of Interest and explain your situation in the relevant question for our consideration. We may not be able to help, but the form is short and simple, so it won’t take you too long, and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
Key dates
- EOI opens: 21 May 2026
- EOI deadline: 6 July 2026
- Outcomes communication by: 1 August 2026
- Stage 2 opens: August 2026
Full Application decision-making panels take place in October 2026. Funded projects will be delivered from January 2027.
How to apply
Applications run in two stages. Start by submitting an Expression of Interest – it’s a short form and won’t take long.
Stage 1: Expression of Interest — open now until 6 July
Log into the JPF Community Area and submit a short application covering:
- Your organisation and the space you’d like to improve
- Describe the project and improvements you want to make and why
- Explain how young people were involved in developing the idea
- Explain how young people will benefit
Stage 2: Full Application — by invitation, open from 1 August to 16 September 2026
Shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit a full application. You’ll also be asked to involve young people in making a short video about the need for your project. We know this may be more challenging for organisations supporting young people with SEND or complex needs. Decision-making panels take place in October 2026.
Please involve young people as much as you can, and explain your approach in your application – we’ll take your circumstances into account.
Submit your Expression of Interest via the Community Area
