Nurse sat talking to a patient

Grants and Funding

We provide grants and funding across NHS Lothian to support the improvement of health and wellbeing across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

In 2024/25, we committed over £5.4m in charitable grants to support NHS Lothian staff, patients and visitors.

Teams from NHS Lothian Charity and Sunndach and Calareidh standing beside the new adapted minibuses

£3.6m

Restricted and Designated Funds

The London Symphony Orchestra in the NHS Project from Edinburgh International Festival. Photo – Mihaela Bodlovic

£428k

Tonic Arts

Tonic Arts Commission at East Lothian Community Hospital called Baralettes

£383k

Capital Projects

GreenspaceREHCTA 2

£245k

Green Health

Community healthcare worker talking to a patient in their home

£240k

Income Maximisation

Volunteer2Featured

£220k

Volunteering

ResearchFeatured 2

£150k

Research, Development and Innovation

Small Grant Funding for a RFU Bike at REH

£146k

Small Grants

NHSLothianStaffMCHCTA 7

£113k

Staff Wellbeing and Development

Patient on his phone

£100k

Patient Wi-Fi

FundraisingLegacyHero

£20k

Hardship Grants

Got an idea? Not sure what funding might be available to support?

Here are some of the projects our funding has supported:

Young adult renal support worker with patients in front of their exhibition artwork

How Donors are Helping Young Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease Feel Seen, Supported and Less Alone

For young adults living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), life can feel isolating. Hospital appointments dominate everyday life, plans are interrupted by fatigue, and many struggle to explain their condition or hide it completely out of fear of being treated differently.

Read more
Nature box items such as pine cones, bird information, etc

How Nature Resource Boxes Are Supporting Patient Recovery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

For people recovering from a stroke or living with limited mobility, the calming, restorative power of nature can feel out of their reach.

Read more
parent showing children how to use a diabetes monitor

Sammy the Sloth: Helping Children Feel Safe, Confident and Connected After a Diabetes Diagnosis

A new diabetes diagnosis can feel frightening and overwhelming for children and their families. It’s a lot for young people to take in and process, especially when they don’t know anyone else living with diabetes, or with a diabetes monitor.

Read more
two young people playing tennis

Wee Move Event: Helping Children with Cancer Rediscover Confidence, Joy and the Freedom to Play

“I definitely came home with my heart full.“
Staff from across the hospital volunteered their time because they believed in what the day represented: a reminder that childhood doesn’t stop during treatment, it simply needs space, understanding, and compassion to flourish.

Read more

Find out more about the support available through our charity

NursePatientFeatured 3

Specific and Ward Funds

If you’re an NHS Lothian member of staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support you and your team to drive forward a new project.
Lothians charity staff riding double bike while smiling

Small Grants

Apply for funding using our online application form.
A wildflower meadow supporting biodiversity

Climate Challenge Grants

Apply for funding using our online application form
Three NHS Staff members in uniform facing the camera

Staff Wellbeing Microgrants

Grants of up to £500 available to fund activities that support the health and wellbeing of staff.
Nurses sat down at table with pen and paper in thought

The Elsie Inglis Staff Development Award

‘The Elsies’ is a charitable fund which seeks to support individual NHS Lothian staff to develop their potential through learning

Did you know…

Our Tonic Arts team works with specialist organisations across the region to bring the healing power of arts to patients across NHS Lothian. Our programme of music, theatre, film, spoken word, storytelling and creative writing helps encourage creativity, reduce exclusion and assist social and personal development.

lady playing guitar for patients in hospital

In addition to our annual grants programme, we also support four strategic programmes. These include:

Strategic Programmes

ArtsCommissionTiledCorridorREHFeatured

Arts in Health

Tonic Arts is our award-winning Arts in Health Programme, enriching experiences and enhancing environments through art and creativity.
Community Garden at Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Green Health

We are increasingly recognising the important role of greenspace and green health activities on our health and wellbeing. In fact, […]
Three Nurses Walking

Staff Wellbeing and Professional Development

We want NHS Lothian to have the best trained and supported staff across all healthcare roles. We recognise that a […]
Volunteers stood in front of a COVID-19 guidance sign

Volunteering

Our volunteers play an essential role in supporting patients and their loved ones during their time in hospital. Pointing visitors […]
Nurse helping elderly up the stairs inside ward

Got any questions

Get in touch to find out more about the different funding we provide and how we can support you to take forward ideas that will improve the health and wellbeing of patients and staff across NHS Lothian.