Work with IMPACT in 2026-27

We are looking for organisations that will work with us in 2026-27 as part of our IMPACT Demonstrators, Facilitators and Networks (each Network is made up of five local groups). We call these organisations IMPACT ‘sites‘.

Application Information

Full details of the application process and potential projects can be found below. There will be three briefing sessions, where you can find out more about IMPACT, the possible topics and the application process on 15/9 (2pm), 30/9 (2pm), 15/10 (11am) – book here. Sessions will be recorded and linked here for anyone unable to attend.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 5 November 2025.

IMPACT ‘Sites’

We are seeking a real mix of sites across the country and in terms of diversity. An IMPACT ‘site’ could be:

  • An individual service (from a community organisation to a local authority),
  • a local ‘system’ (where all the services in one area come together to express an interest),
  • or even a whole region.

Everyone is encouraged to apply

We encourage all sites to apply when applications reopen, especially those facing challenges, as they may benefit most from available funding.

We aim to keep the process clear and simple. While we expect more interest than we can support, we’re committed to minimising unnecessary work for sites not selected.

Possible Topics

We are asking sites to apply to host a project on the topics listed below. We are also open for sites to suggest alternatives in case this identifies other ways of delivering on IMPACT’s priorities. The longlist is illustrative, and we know not all topics may be addressed. These are deliberately very broad topics, but proposals often work best when your idea or project is specific and focused – so please try to make sure that applications are clear on the details of what you want to take forward through working with us, rather than being too general or broad. 

  • Social care and climate change – this might include reducing the carbon footprint of services and/or planning ahead to meet the needs of older and disabled people who might be particularly affected by climate emergencies
  • Tackling poverty (with people who draw on care and support, carers and/or care staff)
  • Developing more strategic partnerships between adult social care and housing
  • Implementing new and emerging technology
  • Promoting a culture where we genuinely value our workforce
  • Leadership of multi-agency partnerships/place-based leadership
  • Supporting race equality in the social care workforce
  • Support for people whose savings/assets are reducing in a care home (‘capital depletion’)
  • Improving the health and preventing avoidable hospital admissions of people with learning disabilities
  • ‘Delegated health care’ (where traditional ‘health’ tasks are delegated to social care staff who may also be supporting the person, so that care is more joined up)
  • Social care responses to people experiencing domestic violence
  • Building a more strategic approach to co-production – this is a Facilitator, so likely to be in a single organisation or service
  • Early intervention/prevention to support carers, reduce ‘carer breakdown’ and reduce the consequences for people drawing on care and support and formal services
  • Improving complaints processes
  • Improving the support of people with substance dependence in care homes
  • Improving communication and accessibility of information
  • Improving the mental health of carers
  • Improving support for migrant care workers
  • Developing ‘neighbourhood health’ approaches/integrated neighbourhood teams
  • Demonstrating the outcomes of social care support/spending and evidencing return on investment
  • Improving access to transport for people who draw on care and support (and carers and staff)
  • The role of local councillors (helping newly elected members to explore what good political leadership of adult social care looks like, with people who draw on care and support, carers and staff)*
  • Sustaining and scaling innovation
  • Championing equity – identifying and tackling gaps in access to support for underserved groups
  • Improving social care support for people who are neuro-diverse
  • Promoting human rights-based approaches to adult social care
  • Promoting more relationship-centred care
  • Promoting healthy ageing in care homes

Apply to Host A Project

We want to get a mix of different sizes and types of sites across all parts of the UK – so please don’t be put off engaging with IMPACT if you aren’t successful on this occasion, and please don’t be put off engaging if you were unsuccessful last time.

To submit an application, you’ll need to be someone within your organisation who has the authority to do this and/or to have support from a relevant senior leader. Our short form asks why you’re applying and about your thoughts on the topic, and checks that (if you were successful) you’d be happy with what IMPACT could offer and what we’d need from you. It’s designed to be very quick and simple.

Final decisions will also depend on us checking the available evidence to make sure that there is enough material for us to work with – we work with evidence from research, from lived experience and from practice knowledge – and all projects bring together people who draw on care and support, carers, front-line staff and senior leaders to work on changes together.

Lots of local groups can join each of our Networks – so we’d like to see lots of areas come forward for these.

Fill in our application form

If you have any practical queries or want to explore further informally and in confidence, please contact: [email protected]