Health Minister and Macmillan Cancer Support
have announced a £1.25million investment to provide practical,
emotional and wellbeing support for people affected by cancer.
Welcoming the second year of the Cancer Charities Grant Scheme,
Health Minister highlighted the vital work
carried out by Cancer Charities across Northern Ireland.
Minister Butler said: Cancer touches the lives of so many people
and families across Northern Ireland. Clinical treatment is only
one part of that journey. People also need practical, emotional
and wellbeing support in their local area, often long after they
have left hospital.
As Health Minister, I want to build on what works. The first year
of this scheme demonstrated the strength of partnership between
government, Macmillan and our cancer charities. I am pleased we
can continue that investment for a second year.
This is also the direction in which we need to take our health
service, intervening earlier and providing more support closer to
people's homes and within their communities. Cancer charities are
already doing that every day. This investment will help them
reach more people, tackle inequalities and complement the
excellent care delivered by our Health and Social Care teams.
The 2026/27 scheme will provide £1million from the Department of
Health alongside £250,000 from Macmillan Cancer Support. It will
help charities deliver services closer to people's homes,
including wellbeing support, rehabilitation, practical
assistance, transport, cancer awareness and initiatives to reduce
health inequalities.
Developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Cancer
Charities Coalition, the scheme recognises the important role
cancer charities and community organisations play alongside
Health and Social Care services.
Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
"We're delighted to see the NI Cancer Charities Grant Scheme
enter its second year. Local cancer organisations know their
communities best, wrapping support around people living with
cancer in ways that are genuinely personal to them.
"Across Northern Ireland, this joint funding from Macmillan and
the Department of Health is already helping bring cancer care
closer to home, which will be key to closing unfair gaps. We
can't wait to see the impact a second year of funding will
make."
Richard Spratt, Chair of the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities
Coalition (NICCC), said: The continuation of this scheme for a
second year is a welcome investment in the cancer charity sector
and, most importantly, in the people and families it supports.
Community organisations understand the needs of the people they
serve. This funding will help them continue providing accessible,
targeted and impactful support across Northern Ireland.
Eligible organisations include registered charities and
not-for-profit organisations operating in Northern Ireland with a
clear cancer-related purpose. Applications open today (Thursday
10 September 2026) and close at 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026.
Further details on eligibility, funding tiers and how to apply
are available at www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/cancer-charities-grant-scheme-202627
Notes to editors:
- For more information on the Grant Scheme, including guidance
and application forms, go to www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/cancer-charities-grant-scheme-202627.
