NHS Lothian Charity

NHS Lothian Charity, the official charity of NHS Lothian, traces its roots to 1902 via the former Lothian Health Board Endowment Fund, adopting its current name in 2022. It enhances patient and staff experiences across the healthcare journey—from prevention to end-of-life—driving better health outcomes in Edinburgh and the Lothians through equality, inclusivity, innovation, and transformation. As an independent yet integral NHS partner, it uniquely engages frontline needs, funding staff-led projects for maximum impact in physical/mental health, arts in health, green wellbeing, volunteering, capital initiatives, hardship relief, research, and patient enhancements like Wi-Fi and healing environments.

Priorities target NHS Lothian patients, staff, and communities, especially families, carers, young people, older adults, and those with chronic/life-limiting conditions. Supported activities include cancer care pilots, birthing transformations, staff microgrants (e.g., Elsie Inglis Award), green climate challenges, resilience counselling, and collaborations with local organisations overcoming health barriers where statutory services fall short. It favours proven, transformative ideas with wide reach, embedding best practices and resilience.

Eligible applicants are primarily NHS Lothian staff, GP practices, and aligned local charities in Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian, and Midlothian; smaller/medium entities with track records are preferred, with no income caps or religious restrictions. Grants up to £5,000 (exceptional larger) are awarded via rolling online applications—no deadlines, reviewed continuously, with outcomes in weeks and simple post-project evaluation. Exclusions cover core NHS services, salaries, operational/research costs tied to statutory duties. Its distinctive multi-strand remit—spanning arts, research, green spaces, and frontline support—sets it apart as a proactive NHS ally fostering enduring health improvements.