Short-term funding support for communities

The Public Health Agency investment can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities living through the ongoing pandemic.

Professor Hugo Van Woerden, the Director of Public Health at Public Health Agency, said: “It is hoped this short-term funding programme will facilitate a health improvement response to the recovery phase of the pandemic by enabling and encouraging improved resilience through healthy lifestyle choices, while also aiming to address underlying social determinants of health and the negative impact of the pandemic on vulnerable groups within our communities.”

Programmes eligible for funding should promote healthy lifestyle choices.

Projects which have benefitted from this programme previously have included workshops focusing on, for example, drugs and alcohol awareness, autism and young women, postnatal depression, and stress management programmes including teaching young people stress management techniques, personal development programmes, ‘Hope Ambassador’ training, and also parenting programmes.

Other activities previously supported included gardening, yoga, mindfulness, arts and crafts, and cooking.

This year the programme will allow groups to apply for a wider range of programmes with the aim of achieving better health and wellbeing as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

The Public Health Agency has commissioned the Clear Project to facilitate this process in the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast Local Commissioning Group areas.

Brenda Morris, Manager of the Clear Project, said: “Short-term funding programmes play a vital role in supporting communities to effectively respond to the needs of their area.

“This work can take a range of forms from self-help and life skills initiatives supporting those in need to giving groups the opportunity to develop and build their capacity to help others.”

Two types of awards are available under this scheme: Award One programme of up to £1,000 that non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups can apply for.

And, an Award Two programme of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 which constituted, non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups can apply for.

Any group interested in applying for the short term funding programmes for the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast areas can find out more by visiting the website: www.dhcni.com/grants

Further details are also available by telephoning the Clear Project on (028) 7138 3386 or by emailing [email protected] The closing date for applications for these grants is Thursday, August 6, at 3pm.