What is BYCA?
Bristol Youth & Community Action is a steering group of people made up of the current, past and future high sheriffs, representatives from the voluntary sector, the business sector and Bristol City Council. It meets regularly to make decisions on how the donations received from the High Sheriff’s appeal and other fundraising activities by the High Sheriff will be spent.
What are BYCA Holiday Activity Grants?
BYCA grants fund holiday activity programmes for children and young people aged 8-12 designed to offer opportunities, positive experiences and reduce risk of involvement in anti-social behaviour. Due to the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme, the High Sheriff has agreed to fund activities in the half term holidays for the financial year 2026/27, to try and ensure there is funding in all the school holidays. We strongly encourage organisations to co-ordinate their planned activities with other local providers to ensure that activities are available across the city during half terms. If you would like help with knowing what other activities are happening in your area please contact the Bristol Play and Youth Alliance info@childrenandyoungpeoplebristol.co.uk.
What you can apply for
You can apply for a contribution of £200 per session (at least two hours) towards activity costs with a maximum of one session per day and 5 sessions per half term. In addition you can also, apply for up to £100 a session as contribution towards healthy food. Food delivered should be in line with the school food standard.
You can apply for holiday activity programmes that add value to existing provision or create new provision where there is an identified need. Successful applications will demonstrate that a small amount of funding from BYCA will make a significant difference. Groups are expected to demonstrate local need and funding will be given to projects that are targeted to address these needs. Groups are expected to coordinate with the other groups in the area to ensure that activities are delivered at different days and times to each other.
BYCA grants for this round will cover the following three half terms:
- May 2026
- October 2026
- February 2027
Programmes must be based in the following areas of Bristol:
- Hartcliffe and Withywood
- Lawrence Hill
- Filwood
- Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston
- Southmead
- Hengrove and Whitchurch Park
- Lockleaze
- Henbury and Brentry
- Ashley
- Eastville
- Knowle
- Horfield
- Hillfields
- Easton
- Frome Vale
- St George
- Brislington East
- Brislington West
- Stockwood
- Windmill Hill
You can see examples of grants awarded last round on our April 2025 grants awarded list.
Who can apply
Applicants must be based and working in Bristol. You can apply for a grant if you are a:
- constituted voluntary or community organisation
- registered charity
- not-for-profit company, including Community Interest Companies where they are not limited by shares and most directors receive no payment from the company
How to apply
You can apply for a grant using our online application form.
Please access the relevant form by clicking the link at the bottom of this page that says ‘Apply Online’. You can return to your online application form as many times as you like. Please save the form as you go along.
Read the Guide for Applicants before applying. Visit our Help & Guidance page for support.
Decision turnaround
We will email you the panel’s decision at the end of April.
