The Office for Civil Society and Nesta have announced new funding to explore how more charities and public services in England can better tap into the skills and experience of volunteers over 50 for the benefit of all society.

The three grant funds are the first to be funded by Government through the second phase of the Centre for Social Action and will be managed by Nesta.

The following funds are open to applications:

• The Second Half Fund – Sharing Time and Talents for Life – grants of up to £250,000 are available to support the growth of new ways of mobilising the time and talents of people aged over 50 specifically in support of children and young people, parents and families, ageing well, creating resourceful and resilient local places.
• Join In Stay In – grants of up to £50,000 and significant non-financial support from behavioral science experts are available for organisations to undertake Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) to understand what works best to encourage volunteers to continue to give their time regularly.
• Give More Get More – Exploring Intensive Volunteering – grants of up to £100,000 are available to support organisations to trial intensive volunteering placements for people over 50 (approaching or in retirement) that work alongside public services. These might include ‘gap years’, such as those VSO offers for experienced volunteers to give their time abroad.

Full details for each fund can be found on Nesta’s website.