Inspiring and diverse community projects from helping Asian elders living with dementia through to a boxing coaching wellbeing programme for children are among 37 groups to receive grants from a £1.8m ELFT fund.
Voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations of all sizes supporting communities served by the Trust were invited to apply for grants of between £5,000 and £100,000.
The programme was launched to fund work led by the voluntary sector aimed at reaching communities who experience inequalities in access, experience and outcomes in mental health care.
Mental health voluntary sector organisations were also invited to apply for funding if they are at direct risk of closing or losing capacity as a result of the COVID pandemic.
Grants have now been awarded to voluntary and community sector organisations across City & Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
The £1.8m programme received bids for projects of more than £11m.
Dr Mohit Venkataram, Director of Commercial Development, said:
“Applications through the grants programme have helped shine a light on incredible organisations and people already doing amazing work to help others – and how they want to do even more.
We are proud to be able to offer support to some of the groups who applied for funds and will continue to develop new ways to support others. Each of our Voluntary sector partners demonstrate what a phenomenally important role they play in keeping our communities safe especially when inequalities have shown the impact the pandemic has had on our vulnerable communities.”
Richard Fradgley, Director of Integrated Care said:
“This fund was launched to help VCSE networks continue giving voices to people that the health and social care system has sometimes struggled to hear.
It has been inspiring to see the depth of work already taking place and we are pleased to provide support as part of a shared commitment to reach populations and organisations who have previously felt excluded or overlooked."
The programme is being managed by the Trust’s social enterprise Compass Wellbeing.