Inspired ideas for improving the health and wellbeing of local people could receive a funding boost in the latest round of an NHS and local authority grants scheme.
The Frimley Health and Care Innovation Fund offers financial support to projects and ideas which can have a significant positive impact on residents of the areas they serve.
A particular aim of the fund is to reduce health inequalities, so organisers are especially keen to hear from anyone with ideas which would support disadvantaged communities.
Martha Earley, Associate Director of Places and Communities, NHS Frimley said: "The population we serve has a huge wealth of experience, skills and imagination – the Innovation Fund was originally suggested by one of our residents! We’re keen to explore how we can work with local people for the benefit of their communities, and the fund should enable them to put their ideas into practice.
“So, whether the project is something completely new to your neighbourhood or it’s an idea that needs some resources, we’d like to hear about it".
The Innovation Fund is part of Frimley Health and Care, which is a partnership of NHS, local authority and voluntary and community sector organisations, all working to improve the health and wellbeing of 840,000 people across East Berkshire, North East Hampshire, Farnham and Surrey Heath.
This year, the fund offers different opportunities. The Children, Young People and Families Fund offers funding opportunities of between £2,000 and £15,000. Applications for projects supporting adults or families can also be submitted for a range of funding amounts, depending on the area.
In the years since the fund was first established, dozens of projects have benefited and have been able to provide a range of services to better their communities as a result. These have included: trauma support for young people and their families; helping the purchase of a new minibus for an older people’s day centre; diet and exercise support for people with long-term conditions and help for community gardens which support a variety of different services and their users.
More information on the Innovation Fund, including links to different funding options and application details, can be found in the Get Involved section of our website.