£1.5 million funding available to improve Black maternal care experiences and outcomes
Community groups in south east London can now apply for funding to improve care for Black mothers, birthing people and their babies.
Up to £1.5 million is available through multi-year grants of up to 3 years. The funding call opened on 17 November 2025 and closes on 10 January 2026.
The programme is run by NHS South East London in partnership with Impact on Urban Health and facilitated by JRNY Consulting. It brings together community organisations, healthcare staff and decision-makers to co-design and deliver solutions that tackle racial inequality and improve maternal care.
Impact on Urban Health, part of Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation in south London, works to reduce health inequalities in Lambeth and Southwark by addressing complex health issues.
At the heart of this work is a new way of sharing power with communities and building trust in the health system.
Why this matters
Black women are more than twice as likely to die in childbirth as white women. Black babies are twice as likely to be stillborn. Neonatal death rates are also higher.
Poor care and traumatic experiences can lead to long-term mental health problems and anxiety about future births. These inequalities persist even when other factors like income, health and lifestyle are considered.
Improving care for Black women and birthing people will save lives, strengthen families and help build a health system everyone can trust.
What the funding is for
The grants will support projects in 11 solution areas developed through community-led design. These focus on different stages of the maternity and neonatal journey, including:
- preconception
- pregnancy
- birth
- after birth
- neonatal care
Who can apply?
- Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, including Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) and Community Interest Companies (CICs), with a stated charitable or community-purpose mission, that are based in or serve the south east London boroughs of Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley, Bexley or Greenwich.
- Non-south east London organisations are eligible to apply if they do so in partnership with a south east London-based organisation or entity.
Partnerships or consortia involving community groups, health services, local authorities, or academic institutions, where a VCSE is the lead partner. - Organisations or consortia must demonstrate a commitment to anti-racism, trauma-informed practice, and centring the voices of Black mothers and birthing people.
How the programme was developed
The programme was shaped by:
- Insight from Centric Community Research
- Evidence from organisations, including 5XMORE, Birth Rights and MBRRACE-UK
- An Expert Reference Group of VCSE leaders, NHS staff, academics and people with lived experience
Over 80 community members and healthcare staff took part in workshops to design solutions. These were scored and prioritised by the Expert Reference Group, who also helped design the grant-making process to make sure it’s fair and accountable.
How to apply
To find out more and apply for funding, visit JRNY Consulting’s website here.