Two small grants schemes are available to help organisations to participate in To Absent Friends, a people’s festival of storytelling and remembrance, taking place across Scotland from 1-7 November 2018.

To Absent Friends is an annual festival that offers people a chance to celebrate and remember those who have died, through stories, celebrations and acts of reminiscence. It is run by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care as part of Good Life Good Death Good Grief.

In previous years, events at the festival have included concerts, music nights, exhibitions, immersive theatre and spoken word performances.

The festival now welcomes grant applications from any group that wishes to hold an event for the festival. Approaches to the concept are likely to be varied, and are not restricted to the types of events held in previous years. The festival encourages creative and innovative ideas that provide public opportunities for storytelling and/or remembrance within local communities.

Grants for concerts:

This small grants fund has been established to enable community music groups to put on To Absent Friends concerts. The maximum sum available through this programme is £350 and the deadline for applications is 23 August 2017.

Grants for organisations:

This small grants fund has been set up to support organisations to participate in To Absent Friends, with a particular focus on supporting small organisations to undertake local activities that provide public opportunities for storytelling and/or remembrance of people who have died. The maximum sum available through this programme is £250 and the deadline for applications is 23 August 2017.

More details on both schemes and information on how to apply is available the website here or contact Robert Peacock on 0131 272 2735 or robert@palliativecarescotland.org.uk

Robert Peacock is Development Manager for Good Life Good Death Good Grief at the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care.