A fund of £1.8m has been launched by ELFT to help groups supporting the communities served by the Trust.
Voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations of all sizes can apply for grants of between £5,000 and £100,000.
The programme aims to fund voluntary sector led projects that reach communities experiencing challenges and exclusion resulting in inequalities in mental health. Mental health voluntary sector organisations may also apply for funding if they are at direct risk of closing or losing capacity as a result of the COVID pandemic.
Applications are welcome from voluntary and community sector organisations working in City & Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
The programme was launched yesterday (Monday, January 17, 2022).
The programme is being managed by the Trust’s social enterprise Compass Wellbeing. Applications will be reviewed on February 6 and Compass Wellbeing will share grant decisions to all applicants on February 11.
Funding is project-based. All applicants will also be asked to indicate which population group or priority area their work most closely aligns to from a list of themes including children and young people (CYP) community and crisis, young adults (18-25) and adult and older adult mental health in the community.
Dr Mohit Venkataram, Director of Commercial Development, said:
“We are fortunate to have a dynamic, creative, varied, energetic and enthusiastic local VCSE – but many of these organisations have been hit hard by the pandemic and need support to continue their incredible work.
“This fund is in place so we can continue to work together with these amazing people in improving health outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Richard Fradgley, Director of Integrated Care said:
“Throughout our community mental health transformation programme we have seen the value that investment into the voluntary sector can bring, allowing us to reach populations and organisations who have previously felt excluded or overlooked, and helping us to deliver the vision of the NHS Long Term Plan.
“VCSE networks are often the beating heart of the communities we serve. We are launching this fund to help them continue giving voices to people that the health and social care system has sometimes struggled to hear.”
Visit this Compass Wellbeing page for more details, to express an interest and receive an application form.
Email funding@compasswellbeing.co.uk with any queries.