Vivensa Foundation

Who we are

We are the only UK-based charitable foundation with a sole focus on providing funding and support for researchers and community innovators who are working in ageing-related research or provide services to older people.

We like to invest in those who have great ideas and methods for improving the health and well-being of older people and in making the connections which can help them to flourish.

We do this through both grant-making and social investment and through convening networks of support like the Vivensa Academy and the UK Ageing Research Funders’ Forum (UKARFF).

You can read our 2025-30 Strategic Framework here: https://view.genially.com/67935c503c9a38a4a7d6cc3a

The Foundation is run by a small staff team, led by our Chief Executive who reports to the Board of Trustees. Reporting to the Board are three Committees - Research Grants Committee, Social Investment Committee and Investment Committee - each made up of Trustee committee members assisted by a number of external expert advisers. You can find details of the people who make our work happen here: https://vivensafoundation.org.uk/about-us/#our-people

Our culture and values

We believe that how we do things is as important as what we do. The foundations upon which the three key pillars of our work are built are our values. We expect the organisations we fund and those we work with to share those values, which are:

• Responsive
• Inclusive
• Trustworthy
• Long-term thinkers
• Collaborative
• Impact-intentional

You can read more about what these mean in practice in our Strategic Framework.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The work we fund means that we know all too well the negative impacts of inequity. We are therefore committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our work.

We recognise the inherent benefits of having a diverse board and workforce and the negative impact of discrimination on us and the communities that we serve. We work hard to promote a culture of respect and dignity and work within the practice – and the spirit – of the Equalities Act 2010. We do our very best to proactively combat behaviours and barriers that can lead to discrimination.

Our equality and diversity policy is in three parts:

• The charity as a funder.
• The charity as an employer.
• The charity as a partner.

You can find the full policy on the "Governance and policies" section of our website: https://vivensafoundation.org.uk/about-us/governance-policies/