Nurse and elderly patient smiling at each other

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 2023/24, we committed over £5.3m 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

£3.7m

Restricted and Designated Funds

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

£411k

Tonic Arts

Tonic Arts Commission at East Lothian Community Hospital called Baralettes

£400k

Capital Projects

Volunteer2Featured

£250k

Volunteering

GreenspaceREHCTA 2

£247k

Green Health

Community healthcare worker talking to a patient in their home

£200k

Income Maximisation

NHSLothianStaffMCHCTA 7

£177k

Staff Wellbeing (Work Well)

Small Grant Funding for a RFU Bike at REH

£172k

Small Grants

ResearchFeatured 2

£150k

Research, Development and Innovation

AppealWellbeingCTA 2

£129k

Staff Psychological Therapies

Patient on his phone

£72k

Patient Wi-Fi

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

Here are some of the projects our funding has supported:

ELCHFeatured

Enhancing the Patient Experience at East Lothian Community Hospital

Thanks to the generous support of The Blythe Family Trust, we are delighted to be funding several key projects designed to significantly enhance the experience of patients and their families, with a particular focus on those in our inpatient wards who require more specialist and long-term care.

Read more
Creation and enhancement of the oncology registrar doctor's office at the Western General Hospital

Supporting a Dedicated Office Space for Oncology Registrar Doctors

We were delighted to support the creation of a dedicated office space registrar doctors in the Oncology department at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh to help improve team dynamics, collaboration, morale and overall wellbeing.

Read more
woman using an inhaler

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Respiratory Care

Respiratory disease is very common, but the treatment often increases carbon emissions, exacerbating respiratory conditions. Thanks to funding from our Climate Challenge Grants, NHS Lothian staff are reducing waste, and carbon emissions.

Read more
A woman feeding leaves to two giraffes at the zoo

Adventures That Make a Difference

We are delighted to support staff as they organise outings and activities that make a difference for patients receiving care for mental health.

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

Up to £5,000 available to support patient-centred projects.
A wildflower meadow supporting biodiversity

Climate Challenge Grants

Up to £5,000 available for NHS Lothian staff who want to take action to reduce climate change.
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.