SWAP Fund

The SWAP Summer Support Fund is a funding stream which is designed to support third sector and not-for profit organisations in delivering responsive, inclusive and community-led activities that address seasonal challenges and promote wellbeing during the summer period (July- September 2026).

The fund aims to support community groups, charities, social enterprises and other not-for-profit groups working to alleviate pressure on families, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), actively engage with young people and improve access to essential provision during the summer months.

The SWAP Summer Support fund is provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s community fund which looks to take the fund seized from the proceeds of crime and reinvest them back into Cheshire’s Communities to be used for good.  SWAP stands for Safety, Working together, Action and Prevention.

The SWAP Summer Support fund provides grants of up to £2,000 to help deliver activity for between 6-8 weeks.

There is one application window: Tuesday 19^th May 2026 until 5pm on Wednesday 17^th June 2026.  Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Outcomes:  Applications will be reviewed once the bid window is closed, and outcomes will be communicated w/c 29^th June 2026.

Firstly, you need to check your project is eligible for funding.  You should refer to FAQs if unsure.  Apply online via the application form.  It is recommended that you contact us to discuss your idea, before completing the application to ensure it is a fundable project, especially if you are unsure if you are eligible.

Once you have checked your eligibility, you need to ensure your application addresses one or more of the Commissioner’s priorities and make this clear in your application.

Funding will be awarded to projects that enhance community safety/ reduce crime and align with one or more of the following priorities:

1. Support children and young people. This could be summer holiday clubs, youth provision or youth engagement activities.
2. Promotion of Wellbeing. This could be the delivery of sports, leisure or arts activities which promote physical and mental wellbeing
3. Reducing isolation and promoting inclusion. Projects which support marginalised communities or those under-represented groups

All applications should be sent to us electronically, should you have any issues accessing the application form online, please discuss this with us before applying.   You need to clearly evidence how your project links to improving community safety.

We welcome applications which show strong community links with other organisations.  However, one organisation will need to be named as the lead applicant for us to manage the grant award, should you be successful.  Lead applicants will remain as the key point of contact for all monitoring, evaluation and communications.  The lead applicant will need to meet the criteria of who can apply entirely.

Yes, although they must clearly demonstrate community benefit within their constitution or governing document.  The governing document should clearly state how any profits are to be reinvested for community benefit.

Capital projects which exist in isolation, will not be funded.  However, amounts of capital can be funded as part of a bigger project.  For example, sports equipment can be funded if it is directly related to the project delivery being proposed.

• Activities which a statutory body is responsible for providing
• Activities that have already taken place before we offer you a grant and are therefore deemed to be retrospective.
• Projects where the organisation making the application is not the same as the organisation that will deliver the project
• Political promotion, including political party activity
• Travel outside of the UK or outreach programs
• Organisations requesting funding towards reserves.
• We cannot accept general applications from or on behalf of individuals.
• Overhead costs will not be funded unless directly related to the project delivery, for example venue hire.
• Activities which fund policing equipment or solely support CCTV installation.

Yes, you will need to supply a copy of your organisation’s governance documents when requested.  If we require any additional information or clarification, we will contact the lead contact, named in the application form.

If your project involves working directly with children, young people or vulnerable adults, you will need to ensure you have a safeguarding policy in place.  As part of the application process, you will have to declare this is in place and subsequently you may be asked to produce a copy at a later date.

If you need support to understand the criteria or to see if you are eligible, please contact us via email to pcc@cheshire-pcc.gov.uk (opens email application) or call 01606 364000.

Alternatively, if you require advice or guidance with the application itself you could contact your local Council for Voluntary Service, Voluntary Action organisation or Community Development Agency.

Cheshire East CVS

Cheshire West Voluntary Action

Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action

Warrington Voluntary Action

Yes. If you are in the process of setting up the account, you can still apply, but please advise us of this before applying.  If your application is successful, we will need a letter from the bank confirming the account details before we could make a grant award.  We can not pay a grant award into a personal bank account.

We will first check that your application meets the eligibility for the SWAP Summer Support Fund.  By speaking to us before you start your application, we can tell you if you are not eligible for funds, so you don’t waste any valuable time.  If your project aligns with the SWAP Summer Support Fund criteria, we will then assess your application and we will acknowledge receipt of your application.  Following this, we may arrange to visit you or contact you for clarification by telephone or email, to find out more ahead of any decisions being made.  Contact will be made with the lead contact named on the application only.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified. Basic feedback can be provided if requested.

All our grants are paid via BACs.  If you are successful, we will send out all documentation required for you to receive payment.

Organisations which are ‘not for profit’ such as charities, friends of groups, neighbourhood groups, social enterprises and community group and there will need to be two unrelated signatories on the group bank account.

All organisations must demonstrate a clear community benefit within their constitution or governing documents.

If the bid is a consortium or partnership bid, the expectation would be that local groups/ organisations would be the lead applicant if working with regional or national organisations. Additionally, the lead application must meet the entire criteria as an organisation.

The fund may be accessed by Parish Councils where there is proven local need and a clear partnership approach.  The fund may be accessed by schools where there is a clear impact on the wider community and where funding does not pay for curriculum time activities.  The fund can also be accessed by Local authorities where they can clearly evidence, they are working with a community organisation, and this cannot fund salary costs.

Other public bodies cannot apply directly but are encouraged to work alongside community groups to submit applications.

If you have been previously successful in obtaining a grant from the PCC, you can apply to this fund, but you must clearly show the ‘added value’ the funding will provide to delivering your project if this is for the same project.  Applicants can only submit one application per funding round

No.  We do not want groups or organisations to waste their time in applying, if they are ineligible, as we understand how much time and effort goes into completing application forms.  Please contact the office, via email to pcc@cheshire-pcc.gov.uk (opens email application)   or call 01606 364000.

All successful applicants will be asked to complete a monitoring form including impacts achieved.  You will also be required to supply a case study.  All successful applicants will be invited to share with us their successes. This is not too onerous as we want you to focus on delivering to the community.

The Police and Crime Commissioner may request to come out and visit your project and/or a member of the team. This is a great opportunity for us to take pictures and share the great work you are doing.  Please try to be as flexible as possible so the commissioner can meet you.

You should notify us as soon as possible.  Please contact team, via email pcc@cheshire-pcc.gov.uk (opens email application) or call 01606 364000.

We will always consider changes to the application where the overall aims and objectives still reflect the initial application, so please do let us know and we can work with you.

No. We encourage applicants to secure match funding where possible but recognise this is not always possible.  In-kind match funding is also encouraged, think about volunteer time, reduced rate venue hire, and other partnership support you may receive.  Where you have secured financial or in-kind match funding, please provide details within your application.

The commissioner is keen to ensure as many communities benefit from the funding as possible, so match funding really does help make the money go further.  The commissioner has some great partnerships with other organisations and funders so it may be suggested that we jointly fund with other agencies where your project meets both our priorities.  You will be contacted if this is the case to ensure the process is easy and transparent.