Charitable health boost for the Rochdale borough

Charities, community and voluntary organisations in the Rochdale borough are invited to apply for funding for health-related projects. NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG) is inviting local  groups to apply for one-off grants for projects of up to 12 months.

Projects must be able to  demonstrate health and community benefits through:

• Promoting and supporting a healthy lifestyle and independence
• Supporting new mothers and families around breastfeeding
• Supporting women around breast cancer screening
• Supporting people with dementia including carers and families
• Supporting people with learning disabilities including carers and families
• Supporting people to manage their own health and wellbeing
• Promoting mental wellbeing

Dr Chris Duffy, local GP and Chair of NHS HMR CCG, said: “Last year we gave grants worth a total of £1 million to more than 69 local voluntary, charity and community groups through our social investment fund scheme.

“The health benefits have been huge and we’ve seen some fantastic schemes really making a difference to local people’s lives – from the Rochdale Carers’ Choir to a scheme supporting young people with disabilities to complete their Duke of Edinburgh award.

“After the success of last year, we are keen to offer this opportunity again to more groups who can help and support local people to become healthier and have a better future.”

Joint bids from more than one group working together to increase social capital are encouraged. Projects could include proposals to contribute to reducing admissions or re-admissions, services to reduce isolation and poverty, support services for people with mental health problems, services for new mothers and hard to reach groups to promote screening and health and wellbeing projects that can demonstrate health improvements for residents of the borough.

Grants will be considered for projects ranging from £5,000 to £25,000 for projects of up to 12 months. We are particularly keen to receive proposals which can evidence match funding and a genuine partnership approach.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 31 October.

The project board is looking for innovative proposals which can really make a difference in the heart of communities and further build on the successes in health and wellbeing improvements made during phase one of the social investment fund programme last year.

Successful groups should bear in mind that a grant provided through this scheme should not be considered a replacement for mainstream, continued funding as it is awarded as a one-off payment.

Application forms and detailed guidance notes for applying for a grant can be downloaded from The Charity Service website at www.charityservice.org.uk.

Telephone support is available on 07739 759395. Please ask for Sue Dilworth. Successful applicants will be expected to deliver projects during the next 12 month