NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board launch new Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme with the Foundation
We have been allocated £300,000 from the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB), to support community groups and organisations through a new ICB Board-led Programme, for spend up until 31st March 2023.
We welcome applications for funding from organisations providing and promoting new initiatives to develop the emotional health and mental well-being of children and young people up to 25 years old across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Since their inception in July last year, the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board have been strengthening relationships with voluntary organisations and community groups in their systems – exploring new opportunities to support, develop and invest in programmes of work that make a real difference in the communities they serve.
John Govett, ICB Chair NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said “ I am delighted to announce our new Community Investment Fund is to harness the potential of local community and voluntary groups as part of an integrated approach to designing and delivering services and it’s more significant today than ever before. The cost-of-living crisis, tightening public sector finances and the post-Covid challenges of accessing statutory health and care services creates an urgency for this to happen at pace”.
Unlocking that potential won’t happen by accident. We need to create the conditions to normalise the involvement of voluntary and community groups in how they shape, plan and deliver services.
This Community Investment Fund will not only provide us locally with much-needed additional funds to support community investment this coming winter, but will ensure involvement of the ICB Board Non-Executives in bringing the community voice into their boardroom.
The pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have severely affected children and young people’s mental health and well-being. 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24. Early help and intervention can reduce pressures on our NHS services.
Voluntary and community sector groups can apply for a grant ranging from £2,000 to £10,000 although higher awards can be considered if organisations collaborate on delivering activities. The fund will support groups partaking in activities linked to at least one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing; Connect, Be active, Keep learning, Give and Take Notice.
Tamas Haydu, Chief Executive of Cornwall Community Foundation said, “It is fantastic to create a new funding programme in partnership with the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board. Support from voluntary organisations is crucial for making a real difference to young people’s mental health and well-being. Last year we distributed a total of £2.4 million across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with more than £500,000 of this supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing.”
One of the groups that benefited from funding from the CCF is TRELYA. Thanks to a grant of £4,464 TRELYA have been able to deliver their “Being Me” emotional well-being project. The project reduced the negative impact of body image on children and young people. Completed through group sessions, one to ones and working with families of primary school-aged children, the project built an understanding of how social media, family values and responses can have such an impact on a child’s body image ideals, resulting in negative well-being. Through early intervention and intergenerational approaches, TRELYA were able to work with the families and children to reduce those negative thoughts and feelings.
To find out more and apply for a grant from the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme, click here.