Small grants opportunity for community and voluntary sector organisations

Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement
Small grants opportunity for community and voluntary sector organisations

The CLEAR Project have announced the opening of a small grant scheme on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA) for projects/initiatives which address Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing, Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm.

The CLEAR Project, which is part of Derry Healthy Cities, has been commissioned to facilitate this process in the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast LCG areas.

The small grants scheme provides the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to access small, non-recurring grants.

The PHA are keen to fund programmes founded on evidence based practice such as those using one or more of the New Economics Foundation’s  ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ (Connect, Be active, Keep learning, Give  and Take Notice).

Amanda O'Carroll, Senior Health Improvement Officer from the PHA said:  “We are encouraging applicants to be proactive, work collaboratively, develop innovative projects and help build resilience in the community. Preference will be given to projects that address the determinants of poor health and reduce health inequalities by increasing the delivery of resources, programme and/or services to the top 20% most disadvantaged communities.”

Shauna Houston, Manager of the CLEAR Project said: “Small grants play a vital role in supporting suicide and self-harm programmes within the community. This support can take a range of forms from awareness raising training programmes to specific self-help and life skills initiatives supporting those in need as well as giving groups the opportunity to develop and build their capacity to help others. I’m delighted that CLEAR, through funding provided by the PHA, will have the opportunity again to support community and voluntary sector groups with their work in this area”.

Two types of awards are available under this scheme.  Award one grants of up to £1000 that non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking Community/Voluntary sector groups can apply for. Award two grants of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 for constituted non-profit taking Community/Voluntary sector groups. For an application pack please email carol@derryhc.com

Notes to the editor
  1. CLEAR represents a unique partnership initiative which offers developmental opportunities to community and voluntary organisations providing mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide support services in the west - i.e. Derry/Londonderry, Limavady, Strabane, Omagh and Fermanagh district council areas.  A range of training and support is offered through the CLEAR project to assist community and voluntary organisations in meeting the standards.
  2. Derry Healthy Cities was established in 1992 and is an independent partnership organisation, which aims to ‘facilitate, champion and advocate for the physical, social and mental health development of our communities’. Since its inception, Derry Healthy Cities has had a significant impact on the public health agenda in the local western area.
  3. Grant funds are coordinated in the Northern LCG area through four Community Networks: CRUN (ann@crun.org); CWSAN (cwsan@aol.com); NACN (info@nacn.org); and SACN (wendy@southantrimcommunitynetwork.org)