The LDIF was launched by the Dream Team in August 2021. It was promoted via a strong social media campaign and through partners’ networks, reaching several hundred groups across the three counties.

Groups had a month to submit an application in Easy Read format, supported by a short film made with the potential beneficiaries, which brought the projects – and people – to life. This relatively short deadline came about because of the grant spend window, ideally participants would have had a longer period to prepare their submissions.

Using Easy Read ensured that everyone: applicants, assessors and all partners, received the same level of information in line with the Learning Disability Charter: ‘make things easy to read and understand: keep it simple! Find out what works for us, we are all different’.

However, this format was more challenging for organisations that regularly make funding applications ‘on behalf’ of their service users. It restricts jargon, requiring only basic facts.

PAVS responded to requests for application packs, keeping a record of organisations for monitoring purposes. PAVS, CAVS and CAVO also provided advice and guidance to potential applicants.

In a well-attended regional online Question and Answer session the application process was outlined by the Dream Team, PPF and PAVS.

It enabled potential applicants to address their questions directly to those administering the grant and helped to reinforce the greater freedom and choice open to all.