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Voluntary organisations, community groups and settings will be able to apply for the funding to help them run local projects which improve health when applications open on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Before then, organisers and project leads are being encouraged to start preparing their applications for funding and consider projects that would be eligible to receive the money.
There will be different grants available:
- Mental health community grant: to fund community programmes which improve overall wellbeing, reduce metal ill health and reduce social isolation and loneliness. A total of £45,000 in funding will be available, to be split between projects for children and adults. Organisations and groups will be able to apply for up to £10,000.
- Social prescribing destination grant: to fund non-clinical projects and activities in North Somerset that address the needs of residents of all ages in holistic, community-centred ways. For services and activities that act as social prescribing destinations and aim to improve mental health and wellbeing and to reduce social isolation and loneliness. A total of £45,000 will be available. People can apply for up to £5,000. If the project has a significant nature-based element, they can apply for up £10,000. Project leads will need to have discussed their application with the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Green Social Prescribing (GSP) Programme by emailing bnssg.mh.greensp@nhs.net.
- Community food projects grant: to support existing and upcoming community food projects in North Somerset that encourage access to nutritious and affordable food, healthy eating, improved food knowledge and skills. Projects should also focus on the social, cultural, and dietary needs in the population that they aim to reach. Projects that have a dual aim of improving physical health and create wider social or climate benefits, such as improving community cohesion and reducing food waste, will also be considered. The total available funding is £30,000. Individual projects can apply for up to £10,000,
- Together Fund – Sport England: Wesport is adding £25,000 to support organisations who have not accessed this funding previously. This fund supports projects that use movement, physical activity, or sport to engage priority audiences who have been impacted by the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. For more information about the Together Fund please email Caleb.Thomas@wesport.org.uk.
Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and executive member for health encouraged local settings to start preparing their applications:
“I’m delighted that we’re again able to offer this funding to voluntary organisations, community groups and settings across North Somerset. We’re a council which empowers and cares about people. We want to create good health and wellbeing throughout life, and also close the health inequalities that exist in our area.
“In 2022, more than £75,000 was awarded to a variety of local projects, all of which helped improve health and wellbeing and made a real difference to people’s lives.
“I’d urge all community focused groups to have a look at our website, get in touch for more information and start preparing their funding bids so they’re ready to get their applications in when they open next year!”
One of the many projects to benefit from grant funding this year was a cookery course run by Banwell Parish Council Youth Club. The club offered cooking sessions for young people with the aim of helping them have a healthier and more positive relationship with food.
A parent of one of the attendees praised the course, saying: “What an amazing opportunity for these young people, they have learnt valuable life skills. I can’t wait to see what she cooks at home. I hope all the young people get this opportunity.”
The photograph shows a family enjoying a meal as part of the project.
Off The record, a mental health social movement, also received funding for their NatureWell project which invited young people to take part in a range of nature-based activities while receiving quality, informal and engaging mental health and wellbeing support.
A participant said “I really liked where we were at the outdoor college, the views and everything about the space we were in. It was peaceful and I felt like nothing else outside of just being in the group mattered. It was a place to unwind and enjoy. I loved the campfire and gathering around it talking with everyone. The activities were fun and I learned not to let my emotions control me.”
More information about the different grants and the application process is available at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/phgrants.
The council’s public health team can also be contacted: for mental health and social prescribing grants email phgrants@n-somerset.gov.uk and for community food projects funding email cfpgrants@n-somerset.gov.uk.