Funding to tackle health inequalities available to community groups

The People’s Health Trust Active Communities fund is available in areas of Norfolk where people may be economically or socially disadvantaged. It aims to reduce health inequalities by working with local people to address issues that matter to them.

Community groups in West Norfolk, Norwich, North Norfolk, and Great Yarmouth can apply for up to £10,000 over two years. The deadline for 1st stage applications is 17th March.

What sorts of projects can be funded?

Projects need to be designed and led by local people, and demonstrate that it supports their neighbourhood or community to come together to address an issue that is important to them.

Some examples of projects that have been funded include:

• A group for local older and younger people to get together in a local area and do activities together (for example craft, technology, history)
• A group for adults to learn English and enterprise skills connected to sewing
• A local magazine written by and for the benefit of disabled people, giving information and calling for action on matters affecting disabled people locally
• A community cafe created and run by single parents as a space to meet, seek support and socialise
• A peer support group for families with disabled children
• A tenants action group for people living on an estate

What they’re looking for in applications

Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications will be assessed against the following key criteria.

The project is:

• designed and led by local people
• supports your neighbourhood or community to come together to address an issue that is important to them
• creates stronger connections between people by supporting them to meet up regularly (weekly, fortnightly or monthly for at least one year)
• clearly explained

Who can apply?

The type of groups who would be eligible to apply would be either;

• Small and local, for example, involving residents living in a few streets or an estate and working in one or more of the ‘fundable neighbourhoods’

or

• A community of interest: a group of people who have shared experiences, characteristics or common interests and wish to come together to address specific issues that are important to them (they may live across a wider area).

Applicants need to be –

• Constituted community groups or charitable organisations who have a structure/governance and have been set up for at least 3 months
• Groups who are designed/led by local people
• Groups who are doing something/a project that brings people together and where they ‘meet’ regularly
• Are doing something that continues longer term – (for 1 or 2 years or more)
• Have a limited annual income (less than £350,000)
• Have unrestricted reserves of less than six months, after the deduction of the grant request amount
• The minimum grant that groups can apply for is £5,000 over one year, £7,500 over 18 months, or £10,000 over two years

If you are part of a community group in one of the eligible areas, please contact Community Action Norfolk at [email protected] if you would like more information, or visit the Funding Guidance from People’s Health Trust to find out more.