Focus Foundation

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Focus Foundation

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Focus Foundation is a grant-giving charitable foundation supporting grass-roots charities in the UK.

Our work stretches across three main themes:

Vulnerable Children & Young People who are socially or economically disadvantaged

Mental Health Charities & Initiatives

Charitable or Community Projects, local to one of Focus Group’s regional offices

With the Charitable Foundation’s administrative costs covered, everything raised will go straight to the charities supported.

02/11/2026

Your seat for an extraordinary evening is still available… for now. 👀🎟️

There’s just ONE WEEK until Angels’ Den Sussex, and tickets are going fast. If you’ve been meaning to book, take this as your cue. Send that message, gather your friends and get your seats secured!

On Monday 9th November, ten grassroots charities will take to the stage at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange to pitch for a share of £150,000.

Each has just three minutes to bring you into their world: the people they support, the challenges they’re tackling and what this funding could make possible.

Then comes the part nobody can script.

Last year, one charity’s story inspired an audience member to donate ten beds for local children. A moment on stage became something life-changing beyond the room.

That’s the excitement of Angels’ Den. You come to cheer charities on, discover work happening on your doorstep and see what happens when people get behind it. And with our Audience Vote, you’ll help decide where funding goes, too.

🎥 Here’s a glimpse of last year’s magic. This year, be part of it.

🎟️ Book your seats by visiting www.angelsden.org.uk or our Angels Den Sussex highlight!

22/10/2026

The journey to Angels’ Den is about more than one evening on stage.

Today, our ten finalists are coming together for pitch and speaker training led by Marcus Thomlinson MLIA dip CIC, building the confidence and skills to communicate their charity’s mission and inspire others to support it.

When you’re immersed in your charity’s work every day and have so much knowledge and passion to share, capturing its purpose, impact and ambitions in just a few minutes can be a challenge. Today gives our finalists space to practise, learn from one another and bring those messages into focus.

That’s why this training is such a valuable part of the Angels’ Den journey. It’s an investment in the individuals stepping onto that stage, helping them develop skills they can carry into future funding pitches, partnership conversations and opportunities to champion their work.

On the 9th November, they will put that preparation into practice, but we hope the value of today will stay with them long after the evening ends.

Thank you to Marcus for sharing his expertise, and to our finalists for the passion and commitment they’re bringing to every step of this journey. We are incredibly proud to have you as our class of '26.

📅 Monday 9th November 2026.
📍 Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.
🎟️ Tickets still available: https://www.angelsden.org.uk/angels-den-sussex2026

22/10/2026

The journey to Angels’ Den is about more than one evening on stage.

Today, our ten finalists are coming together for pitch and speaker training led by Marcus Thomlinson, building the confidence and skills to communicate their charity’s mission and inspire others to support it.

When you’re immersed in your charity’s work every day and have so much knowledge and passion to share, capturing its purpose, impact and ambitions in just a few minutes can be a challenge. Today gives our finalists space to practise, learn from one another and bring those messages into focus.

That’s why this training is such a valuable part of the Angels’ Den journey. It’s an investment in the individuals stepping onto that stage, helping them develop skills they can carry into future funding pitches, partnership conversations and opportunities to champion their work.

On the 9th November, they will put that preparation into practice, but we hope the value of today will stay with them long after the evening ends.

Thank you to Marcus for sharing his expertise, and to our finalists for the passion and commitment they’re bringing to every step of this journey. We are incredibly proud to have you as our class of ‘26.

📅 Monday 9th November 2026.
📍 Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.
🎟️ Tickets still available via our Angels Den highlight or by visiting www.angelsden.org.uk

FareShare Sussex and Surrey | Food Waste Charity Figment Arts The Old Boat Corner Stop.Breathe.Think Gig Buddies by Stay Up Late StrongMen Time to Talk Befriending Friends Of Woodlands Meed The Running Charity FMG PROJECT Breadwinners

GrassrootsCharities Charity Community Brighton BrightonAndHove Sussex BrightonEvents SussexEvents

20/10/2026

From the stage to your speakers, Angels’ Den Sussex is on the radio this week! 🎤

What inspires someone to bring charities, philanthropists and a room full of potential supporters together? And what does it mean to be an Angel, helping turn a charity’s ambitions into lasting change?

This week, two radio interviews offer a chance to hear from the man who helped make it happen and one of the philanthropic Angels helping bring it to life.

📻 BBC Sussex | Today, Tuesday 20th October, at 12:40pm Chris Goodman, philanthropist and Co-Founder of Focus Group and Focus Foundation, will share what inspired him to bring Angels’ Den to Sussex, and his passion for connecting grassroots charities with the funding, visibility and support to turn their ambitions into lasting change.

📻 More Radio Mid Sussex | Friday 23rd October, between 8:25am and 8:35am: Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur, investor, former Dragons’ Den star and one of our six Angels, will share her perspective ahead of an evening where their decisions could help shape what comes next for ten incredible charities. Her interview will air in two parts during the breakfast show.

Both interviews build towards the 9th November at Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, when 10 extraordinary grassroots charities will take to the stage to pitch for a share of £150,000 in funding.

Tune in, hear the passion behind the event, and discover why we’d love you to be part of it.

🎟️ Tickets are still available - visit the Angels’ Den website below to secure your seat.

🔗 https://www.angelsden.org.uk/angels-den-sussex2026

Pictured: The Angels of Angels' Den Sussex 2025.

16/10/2026

We have been busy bees lately… and this charity visit to beesandrefugees was particularly special! 🐝

Founded by Ali Alzein in 2019, Bees & Refugees brings refugees, people seeking asylum and local communities together through beekeeping, gardening and a shared connection with nature.

What began with Ali finding comfort in beekeeping after fleeing Syria has grown into something truly special - creating opportunities for others to build friendships, learn new skills, grow in confidence and find a sense of belonging.

And we're delighted to be supporting the next chapter of their work with a £4,000 grant towards their Buzzing Spring initiative! 🌻

Over the next eight months, the funding will help transform an acre of neglected land into an extension of their welcoming community garden, bringing older local residents and refugees together to grow wildflowers, medicinal herbs and, hopefully, some wonderful new friendships along the way.

During our visit, Heidi, Alix and Charlotte had the pleasure of meeting Ali, exploring the workshop, learning about the charity's plans and even donning beekeeping suits to meet the colonies up close!

We left with a newfound appreciation for the fascinating world of bees, but more importantly, for the warmth, care and determination behind this remarkable grassroots charity.

Sometimes, creating a stronger community starts with something as simple as having a place to grow together. 🌼

We're very proud to support Bees & Refugees and can't wait to see Buzzing Spring come to life.

📖 Want to meet Ali, discover what we learned during our visit and see how £4,000 will help both a garden and a community flourish?

Read the full story and see more lovely photos from our visit via our blog, below:

🔗 https://focusfoundation.org.uk/news/supporting-bees-refugees-a-4000-grant-to-help-community-grow-and-the-bees-thrive/

13/10/2026

Not every journey takes the route you expected. Sometimes, a change in direction leads somewhere just as special.

Saige and Hale began their journeys with Guide Dogs UK, but it became clear that life as guide dogs wasn't quite right for them. What they did have was the gentle nature, intelligence and qualities needed for a different future.

With support from a £5,000 Focus Foundation grant, Veterans With Dogs has welcomed the pair to begin training as assistance dogs for veterans living with mental health challenges.

Because they've already received extensive training, Saige and Hale will spend just a few short months with volunteer Puppy Socialisers before taking their next step, helping bring that companionship and support within reach of a veteran sooner.💙

And there's even more good news... Guide Dogs UK has already offered to connect Veterans With Dogs with more suitable dogs in the future. Now, they just need more Puppy Socialisers to help make those new beginnings possible.

🐾 Think you could support Veterans With Dogs with socialisation, or simply want to learn more about their work?

Find out more about Veterans With Dogs here: https://veteranswithdogs.org.uk/

12/10/2026

Before the first word is spoken, there's already a story unfolding.

The rehearsals. The last-minute changes. The nervous excitement. The moment someone takes a breath, steps onto the stage and prepares to tell a room full of strangers why their charity matters.

For our Angels' Den Sussex 2026 charity finalists, this is more than a presentation.

It's an opportunity to share the work they've dedicated themselves to, introduce their charity to new supporters and secure funding that could help them achieve more.

And there's a lot at stake.

A share of £150,000 in funding, with six influential Angels ready to listen, ask questions and make decisions that could open up incredible opportunities for the charities standing before them.

And for the audience?

It's an opportunity to discover the extraordinary work happening in communities across Sussex, often quietly and without the recognition it deserves.

But you're not just there to watch. Just like last year, your ticket gives you a say through the Audience Vote, helping decide which charity receives additional funding on the night.

Ten charities. One stage. A room ready to listen.

On Monday 9th November, we'll be there to cheer them on, hear their stories and watch life changing funding decisions unfold. Will you?

🎟️ Join us for Angels' Den Sussex 2026: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/news/angels-den-sussex-2026-150000-to-support-grassroots-charities-this-november/

08/10/2026

A grant application lands in our inbox. What happens next? 👀

It's easy to imagine grant-making as a fairly simple process when you're not familiar with it.

Application comes in. Boxes get ticked. Funding gets approved.

The reality is much more human than that.

Behind every application is a charity trying to solve a very real problem in its community, often with a small team, limited resources and a huge amount of determination.

So before we make a decision, we want to understand what's really going on.

What challenge are they responding to?
Who will the funding support?
What could it make possible?
Is the idea realistic?
How will they measure that it's making a difference?
And importantly, are we the right funder to help?

That's why our Grants Team is passionate about spending time getting to know the charities behind the applications.

Today, our network includes more than 200 Charity Partners, each working in different communities, tackling different challenges and bringing their own experience and expertise to the table.

Those relationships matter to us.

We ask questions. We have conversations. We learn about the communities they support, what they're already achieving and where funding could make the greatest difference.

And sometimes, the answer won't be yes.

We have a responsibility to make sure the funding entrusted to us is going somewhere it can create meaningful impact. But we also believe charities deserve to be treated as more than an application form, particularly small grassroots organisations where time and capacity can already be stretched.

For us, good grant-making isn't simply about giving money away.

It's about listening carefully, asking the right questions and backing grassroots charities with the potential to turn funding into something genuinely valuable for their communities.

And when that funding is awarded? That's where another story begins. 💙

Over the coming weeks, we're going to take you , from how applications are considered, to what happens after funding is awarded, and the impact our Charity Partners go on to create.

In the meantime, what would you like to know about how our grants work?

Ask us below. 👇

06/10/2026

We're giving you £12,500.

Well… hypothetically. 👀

There's just one condition:

You have to give every penny away to charity.

Would you use it to support better mental health?

Help tackle homelessness?

Create opportunities for young people?

Support people with learning disabilities?

Fight food poverty?

Reduce loneliness?

Now for the difficult part… You can only choose one.

Where would your £12,500 go, and why?

It's a decision our Angels will know all too well when Angels' Den Sussex returns on the 9th November, with ten grassroots charities taking to the stage to pitch for a share of £150,000 in funding.

And the Angels aren't the only ones making a decision. Just like last year, you, the audience, get a say too.

Every ticket contributes to the Audience Vote, helping decide which charity receives additional funding on the night.

So, before you hear their pitches… Where would you put the money?

Tell us in the comments. 👇

Then come and face the real decision. Hear the pitches. Choose your cause. Cast your vote.

🎟️ Get your ticket here: https://www.angelsden.org.uk/angels-den-sussex2026

21/09/2026

10 charities. 10 powerful pitches. One £150,000 funding pot.

How would you decide where the funding should go?

Would you be guided by:

🚨 The urgency of the challenge?
🤝 The number of lives that could be reached?
🌱 The potential to create lasting change?
💛 Or the story that moves you most?

At Angels’ Den Sussex 2026, our Angels will face that very decision, live, after hearing ten grassroots charities share their ambitions, their impact and what vital funding could make possible.

But they won’t be the only ones with a decision to make. Every ticket helps power the Audience Vote, giving you the chance to champion the charity that moves you most and help decide where vital funding goes.

Could you make the call?

📅 Monday 9th November 2026.
📍 Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.
🎟️ Book your tickets via our Angels’ Den Sussex highlight.

CharityFunding GrassrootsImpact

Address

Focus House, Ham Road
Shoreham-By-Sea

Website

http://www.focusfoundation.org.uk/

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