We're offering organisations the opportunity to apply for a single, non-recurring, one-year grant up to a maximum of £50,000 including VAT and all other costs for the 2027/2028 financial year.
Lived experience recovery organisations
Lived experience recovery organisations (LEROs) are organisations that are led, governed and delivered by people with lived and living experience of addiction and recovery.
They provide peer-led support, promote recovery within communities and help ensure that the voice of lived experience influences services and system development.
Aim of the grant
The aim of this grant, which is funded through our public health department, is to financially support organisations for one year to undertake the role of lived experience recovery organisation (LERO) capacity builders.
LERO capacity builders will provide support to existing and emerging LERO(s) to help them provide recovery-focussed, non-clinical supports to adults affected by substance use or addiction. It will also strengthen the voice and influence of lived experience within service delivery and system developments.
The service will:
- Support existing and emerging LERO(s).
- Strengthen the voice and influence of people with lived and living experience.
- Improve engagement, retention, and progression within recovery pathways
- Build and sustain community recovery capital and peer support networks.
- Reduce stigma and promote hope, empowerment, and inclusion.
- Work collaboratively with commissioned treatment and recovery services while maintaining independence.
- Ensuring that recovery is visible and accessible – through promotion, asset mapping, and digital content.
- Provide a communication mechanism between people with lived and living experience, and the wider recovery-oriented system of care, including with public health.
Organisations will have the opportunity to apply for a single, non-recurring, one-year grant capped at a maximum of £50,000 inclusive of VAT and all other costs. There are 3 geographical lots available, and organisations are only able to apply for one geographic lot. There is an expectation that all LERO capacity builders, together with treatment and recovery support services, will work collaboratively as part of the Derbyshire recovery oriented system of care.
The geographic lots are:
- High Peak and Derbyshire Dales
- South Derbyshire, Erewash and Amber Valley
- Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover
Applicants may apply for one geographical lot only.
The use of geographical lots reflects the findings of the Derbyshire LERO Development Plan, which highlighted the importance of developing hyperlocal, community-led LERO activity whilst maintaining a connected county-wide LERO ecosystem.
Who can apply
We welcome applications from organisations that can demonstrate their ability to deliver a LERO Capacity Builder Grant for Derbyshire residents and meet the criteria outlined in the application pack.
To apply for the LERO Capacity Builder Grant an organisation must meet the minimum requirements of a level 2 LERO, as defined by CLERO. Ideally the successful organisation will have received confirmation of Accredited CLERO Membership from CLERO by 1 April 2027. As the timescale for CLERO confirmation may take longer than this grant application process allows it is acceptable that organisations will have applied but not yet received CLERO accreditation by the commencement date.
Applications must meet the published assessment criteria, however, meeting the minimum assessment threshold does not guarantee funding. Where the number of eligible applications exceeds the available budget, applications will be ranked according to their final assessment score.
Application packs
If you'd like to apply for this opportunity, email asch.substance.misuse.grant@derbyshire.gov.uk and an application pack will be provided.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 28 October 2026 at midday.
Please read the LERO Capacity Builder Grants application pack and application form carefully and note the following:
- applications received after the deadline will not be accepted or assessed
- ensure all questions and sections of the application form are completed
- applications will be assessed solely on the information provided within the written submission
- do not exceed the maximum word count where one is specified
- a flowchart, model, or diagram may be submitted where it provides additional clarity to the proposal
- where relevant, organisations must have discussed and agreed the application with any delivery partners prior to submission and ensure those partners are aware of and supportive of the proposal
Further information is available within the application pack.
For any queries regarding the application process or application form, email asch.substance.misuse.grant@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Conditions of funding and criteria
This grant is available to support organisations for a period of one year.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate how they intend to sustain the benefits of their capacity builder activity beyond the grant period.
This may include plans to secure alternative funding, develop partnerships, generate additional income, utilise volunteers, or otherwise build on the investment provided through this grant.
All organisations must be formally constituted. This means they must have:
- a bank account with at least 2 independent signatories
- a governing document or list of governing members
- a clear purpose
- a set of rules or constitution
Organisations that are in the process of becoming formally constituted may apply, however, funding cannot be awarded until appropriate governance arrangements are in place.
The maximum grant available to any one organisation, whether applying individually or as part of a consortium, is £50,000 (inclusive of VAT and all associated costs).
Funding must be used solely for the purpose described within the successful application.
Funding will be paid quarterly in advance, subject to receipt of a valid invoice from the organisation.
We reserve the right to reclaim all or part of the funding awarded if it is not used for the purpose for which it was granted.
This grant should be regarded as a one-off funding award and does not imply any commitment by us to provide future funding.
Please refer to the LERO Capacity Builder Grants application pack for full details of the funding conditions, eligibility requirements, and assessment criteria.
Timetable
Application process opens Thursday 1 October 2026.
Deadline for receipt of applications Wednesday 28 October 2026 at midday.
Cabinet Member decision February 2027.
Notification of outcome to applicants by the end of February 2027.
Commencement of projects 1 April 2027.
Project end date 31 March 2028.