WILD launch a steering for young parents with a grant from the Integrated Care Board Health Improvement Fund.

WILD Young Parents work across Cornwall, striving for a fair start for young parent families.  

In March 2023 WILD were awarded £9,997.60 from the ICB Health and Wellbeing FundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions.. The grant was used to establish WILD Voices, a parent steering group formed of 10 volunteers.  

WILD VOICES has given young parents the chance to become a peer mentor to other young parents, and ensure their voice is represented across Cornwall to inform service and policy design.  

Parents involved in WILD Voices have reported increased confidence, belonging, and being heard. They have also developed professional skills by being in a steering group. 

One parent, James, was reluctant, saying he lacked confidence in himself and in being a dad. He felt connecting with his baby had been difficult and was afraid that others would judge him. He was worried about being a parent without his partner. It took him months to attend and join a group. 

At his first session, James enjoyed the group. He discussed his fears and left feeling lighter. After that, he kept coming back, sometimes with his partner, and sometimes alone with his baby, and he continued to grow in confidence.  

James is now a part of WILD Voices. He wants other parents to have the opportunity to realise their potential and overcome barriers to participation. Wanting to make a difference to other young parent families, James has become a leading force; communicating with the team and organising meetings. 

About the fund 

The VCSE Health Improvement Fund forms part of the broader NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) funding being led & managed by Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum.   

The overarching principle of this fund is to enable VCSE organisations to sustain, maintain and enhance their services to improve health and wellbeing outcomesMeasuring the results of the work your organisation is doing. for people and communities in Cornwall, evidencing its collective potential to reduce health inequalities.    

The 10-year strategy for the ICB aims to ensure people in Cornwall can Start Well, Live Well and Age Well. We know that 12.4% of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s population live in the 20% most deprived areas in England and organisations operating within these areas were encouraged to apply.   

For more information about WILD Young Parents see https://www.wildproject.org.uk/ 

If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants. 

If you are looking to support the Cornwall Community Foundation with a donation, go to our online donation page.