‘Compassionate communities’ programme launched to support local health projects
Community organisations working to improve the health and wellbeing of people in north west London most affected by Covid-19 will have the chance to bid for vital funding, thanks to an innovative new grants programme.
Our partners at Imperial Health Charity have committed £450,000 to support the ‘Compassionate communities’ initiative.
Local groups will be able to apply for a share of the funds – up to £30,000 - to help drive forward community-led projects designed to tackle major problems that affect people’s health, such as:
- food poverty and obesity
- mental health and wellbeing
- digital poverty and exclusion
- language barriers and misinformation.
This new funding programme will help to address some of the complex, longer-term impacts of Covid-19 in north west London.
Hannah Fontana, Strategy, research and innovation programme manager, said: “The pandemic has had a big impact on hospital care this year, but Covid-19 has also deepened many complex health problems in our wider communities, widening pre-existing health inequalities.
“To help us play our full role in tackling these issues, we want to connect with people across north west London who are already leading fantastic initiatives and really understand what our local populations need.”
Applications are now open until 8 March and grants will be awarded to local organisations in April 2021. There will be a focus on supporting community-led projects that work with people who consistently experience health inequality and have been significantly affected by the pandemic.
As well as awarding vital funding, extra advice and support will be provided to help community groups maximise the impact of their work and make their projects more sustainable.
Francesca Ferro, Head of grants at Imperial Health Charity, said: “As part of helping our hospitals do more, we’re committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of the wider community in north west London.
“This exciting new programme is a unique opportunity for us to reach out, bring people together and understand how we can support even better care for the most vulnerable people in our local communities.”
Over eighty local groups have been part of a ‘community panel’, helping to design the Compassionate communities programme in a way that ensures the funding reaches those who need it the most.
Find out more information about Compassionate communities and guidance on how to apply.
