Grants panel members

Vision

We want to create better access to advice and advocacy for Disabled people about benefits, debt, housing, homelessness, community care, personal liberty, and equal access to goods and services.

We want to involve more voices from people closer to the front line in our grant-making.

The role

The main tasks are:

• Read and discuss proposals from projects providing advice and advocacy for Disabled and neurodivergent projects and recommend a selection of these for a grant.
• Co-design changes and developments to the application and reporting processes for this programme.

At the moment, the budget for each grants round is £1.5 million. Grants are awarded every other year. The year in between awarding grants is used for learning and co-design activities to improve the programme.

Skills and experience needed

The main skills needed are:

• Good enough written and spoken English or equivalent (for example BSL) to understand and comment on grant applications.
• Able to use email, Zoom and standard office software like Word
• Able to contribute to a group decision and take on board different points of view
• Working within our values

The main experience needed is personal experience of being Disabled or neurodivergent.

Convening the panel

The panel convenes in person and online. How people meet and discuss proposals depends on what suits panel members.  The panel is facilitated to make sure everyone’s voice is heard equally.

Documents

These documents are for reference.

If you are appointed as a panel member you will agree to observe the policies on conflict of interest, confidentiality, diversity, equity and inclusion and feedback, complaints and whistleblowing.

Download Word versions

• Grants panel role description
• Remuneration, expenses, access costs and IT costs
• Our values
• Confidentiality
• Conflicts of interest
• Feedback, complaints and whistleblowing
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• FAQ

Last updated: 14 August 2026.