Health funding available in 2023

Volunteer organizations, community groups and agencies can apply for funding to help them implement local health improvement projects when applications open on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Until then, organizers and project leaders are encouraged to start preparing their grant applications and review projects that are eligible to receive the money.

There will be various scholarships:

• Community Mental Health Grant: Fund community programs that improve overall well-being, reduce mental illness, and decrease social isolation and loneliness. A total of £45,000 in funding is available, divided between projects for children and adults. Organizations and groups can apply for up to £10,000.
• Subsidy to the social prescription destinations: Funding for non-clinical projects and activities in North Somerset that address the needs of residents of all ages in a holistic, community-centric manner. For services and activities that act as social prescribing targets, aimed at improving mental health and well-being and reducing social isolation and loneliness. A total of £45,000 is available. Individuals can apply for up to £5,000. If the project has a significant nature-based element, they can apply for up to £10,000. Project leaders must have discussed their application with Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire’s Green Social Prescribing (GSP) scheme by emailing [email protected]
• Grant for community food projects: To support existing and upcoming food projects in the North Somerset community that promote access to nutritious and affordable food, healthy eating and improved food knowledge and skills. Projects should also focus on the social, cultural and dietary needs of the populations they aim to reach. Projects that have a dual objective of improving physical health and creating broader social or climatic benefits, such as: B. improving community cohesion and reducing food waste are also considered. The total funding available is £30,000. Individual projects can apply for up to £10,000,
• Together Fund – Sport England: Wesport adds £25,000 to support organizations that have not previously used this funding. This fund supports projects that use exercise, physical activity or sports to address priority audiences affected by the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. For more information about the Together Fund please email [email protected]

Cllr Mike Bell, Vice-Chairman of North Somerset Council and Health Executive, encouraged local bodies to start preparing their applications:

“I am delighted that we can once again offer this funding to voluntary organisations, community groups and agencies across North Somerset. We are a council that empowers and cares for people. We want to create health and well-being throughout life and also eliminate the health inequalities that exist in our region.

“In 2022, more than £75,000 was awarded to a wide range of local projects, all of which have helped improve health and well-being and made a real difference in people’s lives.

“I would like to urge all community-focused groups to check out our website, contact us for more information, and begin preparing their funding offerings so they will be ready to submit their applications when they open next year!”

One of the many projects to benefit from grants this year was a cooking class run by the Banwell Parish Council Youth Club. The club offered cooking classes to youth with the aim of helping them have a healthier and more positive relationship with food.

A parent of one of the participants praised the course, saying, “What an amazing opportunity for these young people, they have learned valuable life skills. I can’t wait to see what she cooks at home. I hope all young people get this chance.”

The photo shows a family enjoying a meal as part of the project.

Off The Record, a social mental health movement, also received funding for their NatureWell project, which invited young people to participate in a range of activities in nature while receiving quality, informal and engaging support for mental health and wellbeing .

One participant said: “I really liked where we were in the outdoor college, the view and everything about the space we were in. It was peaceful and I felt that nothing mattered other than just being in the group. It was a place to relax and enjoy. I loved the campfire and would gather around it and talk to everyone. The activities were fun and I learned not to let my emotions rule me.”

For more information on the different grants and how to apply, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/phgrants.

The Council’s Public Health team can also be contacted: for mental health and social prescription grants by emailing [email protected] and for community food project funding by emailing [email protected] .gov.uk.