Last updated:
9th February 2026
Sparks - How applications are judged
Screening Stage
First, staff in Wokingham Borough Council and Involve will review your application and check that it meets the following five criteria:
- Does the project support at least one of the three Social Care Future themes:
- Make it easy for everyone to feel part of the community
- Support people to live and stay in a place they call home
- Help people to do more of the things they love
- Will the project be delivered to Wokingham Borough residents?
- Is this a new activity or one that addresses a gap in the community?
- Is the project tailored towards people from one or more of these groups: people who have a disability, mental or physical health condition or caring responsibility?
- Is there a clear plan for how the money will be spent? (If there is not a clear plan we will ask you for more information)
A project will not receive funding if:
- It duplicates something already delivered in the community,
- Council funding is already provided,
- The applicant will benefit financially or commercially from the project,
- Money will be used to fund something covered by a legal duty e.g. accessibility,
- Money will be used for staffing costs, or
- Money will be used for a refurbishment.
If your application does not pass this stage, we will get in touch and tell you why. You are welcome to apply again.
Next stage – Residents Panel
If your application passes the screening stage you will be invited for an informal chat with a panel of local residents who will meet quarterly, to talk about your idea. They will be interested in understanding the following:
- Is there a clear desire to support people with a disability, mental or physical health condition or caring responsibility?
- Does the applicant understand the issues faced by people they want to support through the project?
- Will this project make a difference to people's lives?
- Is there a clear and realistic plan in place to make this project work?
- Does the project offer value for money?
- Is there a plan in place to continue after funding ends?
