The LDIF was designed to encourage new ideas from people with a learning disability: for new activities and services and to test if they worked. The fund was open to third sector and statutory bodies who wanted to co-produce projects with people with a learning disability.

• It provided grants up to £10,000 in Round 1 and £20,000 in Round 2 for revenue costs and a small percentage of capital funding for people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent people, to design activities and timings that best suited their lifestyles.
• No match funding was required.
• Applicants were asked to submit a film supporting their project for Round 1 and present in person for Round 2,
• Applications had to be underpinned by reference to the West Wales Learning Disability Charter.
• LDIF encouraged dialogue with the supporting agencies, working to meet participants’ Learning Disability Charter expectations.
• It encouraged the design of innovative projects that could be ‘tested’ within the grant period when support was available.
• Round 1 projects that went well over six months, could apply for Round 2 funding to further develop their projects over 12 months.
• The Fund was not designed to supplement existing activity or alleviate budget pressures for core services.
• The 20 Projects Supported totalled £176,529.

The LDIF approach promoted a ‘can do’ attitude with people working together on a shared aim. This helped to increase skills, capacity and confidence to shape their own lives, as promoted in the Charter:

‘More chances in life; more choice; to be listened to; to be treated as adults; to be given dignity and respect’.

They were involved in developing project ideas, making applications, presenting their case to a Panel and delivering the projects.

The Grant Panel was made up of Dream Team members. They oversaw two rounds (20 projects) supported by Pembrokeshire People First, Carmarthenshire People First and Our Voice Our Choice.

The funding was administered by PAVS which kept financial records, jointly organised meetings, sent offer letters, monitored the projects in accordance with the Panel’s instructions and developed this Toolkit.

Both funding rounds and some project delivery took place during the pandemic when strict Covid restrictions were in place, which required all involved to innovative and flexible to keep safe.