FAQs - key terms

What is “not-for-profit”?

What is a “constituted group”?

What is “social contact”?

What does “personal experience” of mental health problems mean?

What does “mental health problems” actually cover?

Why are dementia, learning disabilities and autism not included in your definition of ‘mental health problems’?

What do you mean by “diverse communities”?

What does ‘partnership agreement’ mean for the purposes of the application form? Do we need to obtain legal documents before we apply?

What does ‘cannot gain financially’ mean, in reference to statutory bodies acting as partner organisations?

What is "meaningful conversation"?

What do you mean by 'user-run group' and 'user-led group'?

What is “not-for-profit”?

“Not-for-profit” refers to organisations that do not make a profit out of their activities, such as charities, or voluntary groups, as opposed to commercial or corporate sector businesses that generate profit for their shareholders or trustees.

What is a “constituted group”?

A constituted group or organisation is a group or organisation that has a constitution. A constitution is a written agreement of what the group is going to do and how they will do it. Constitutions are important because they can help people to understand exactly why they are working together and can help them to plan how best to get things done.

More information

What is “social contact”?

“Social contact” is when people with different experiences of life meet and share these experiences with each other, and their attitudes and behaviour towards each other change as a result. By talking openly about their mental health, people with personal experience of mental health problems can help others to understand what it’s really like to live with a mental health problem. We’re looking for projects that create situations where this can happen.

In a project that uses social contact effectively, clear and meaningful interaction between people with and without mental health problems would take place which opens up opportunities for the people without mental health problems to challenge negative stereotypes they might have. To be eligible for a Time to Change grant, projects must create social contact in some way and must be able to show this in the application. More information about social contact.

What does “personal experience” of mental health problems mean?

‘Personal experience of mental health problems’ refers to a person’s own mental health problems, either diagnosed or undiagnosed, but which have had a significant impact on the person’s life.

What does “mental health problems” actually cover?

‘Mental health problems’ refers to all conditions which can affect mental well being such as anxiety, depression, phobias and diagnoses of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This does not refer to dementia, learning disabilities or autism.

Why are dementia, learning disabilities and autism not included in your definition of ‘mental health problems’?

We understand that these conditions often have an impact on mental health. If a project is working with people with mental health problems who also have a diagnosis of dementia, learning disabilities and autism, then it would be eligible to make an application.

What do you mean by “diverse communities”?

We want to fund projects that engage with a wide range of people. “Diverse communities” refers to groups that may face increased discrimination as a result of aspects of their identity, for example their sexual orientation, racial or cultural heritage, or whether or not they have a physical disability.

What does ‘partnership agreement’ mean for the purposes of the application form? Do we need to obtain legal documents before we apply?

Legal documents don’t need to be obtained prior to application but your application would be strengthened if you can show us that the partners have agreed on roles and expectations prior to making their bid for funds. We would expect that any informal agreement is formalised should grants be awarded.

What does ‘cannot gain financially’ mean, in reference to statutory bodies acting as partner organisations?

 It means they cannot benefit financially from the grant in any way. This includes salary time for project workers.

What is meaningful conversation?

A meaningful conversation is when someone with personal experience of mental health problems shares their experiences with a member of the public and feels they have had an impact on them, however small. Every conversation is different and a meaningful one might be long or short, intense or light-hearted. However, for a conversation to have a real impact, it must involve a genuine exchange of information and sharing of personal experience of mental health problems. For example, handing out a leaflet about mental health to a member of the public does not count as a meaningful conversation, but giving that same leaflet and talking to the person about your personal experience of mental health problems does count as meaningful. We recommend that based on this information, your volunteers judge for themselves when they feel a meaningful conversation has taken place.

What do you mean by 'user-run group' and 'user-led group'?

By user-run we are referring to groups or organisations where mental health service users/survivors and/or people with personal experience of mental health problems make all the decisions at an organisation.

By user-led we are referring to groups or organisations where mental health service users/survivors and/or people with personal experience of mental health problems are the majority on the management committee or other decision making body.