£272,756 in grants to improve health and wellbeing

£272,756 in grants to improve health and wellbeing

The Public Health Agency (PHA) recently issued over £272,000 in small grants to 64 statutory, community and voluntary organisations in the South Eastern area for projects which promote health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

Some 64 voluntary and community sector organisations shared funding of £272,756 to deliver a range of activities which support the Agency’s efforts to ensuring a decent standard of living for all and making healthier choices easier. 

A variety of factors can affect our health and wellbeing, including the choices we make, along with housing, education, transport, employment and sense of community. The scheme is designed to encourage and support the development of local community based projects and initiatives that will help improve the health and wellbeing of local communities. Each of the projects that have been awarded a grant will focus on one or more of the following themes: increase access to benefits, reduce the impact of fuel poverty, prevent the uptake of smoking in children and young people, increase physical activity levels and improve nutrition and promote healthy eating, improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of suicide, improve sexual health, and reduce drug and alcohol related harm. 

Chris Totten,  Head of Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement (South Eastern), PHA said: “The PHA is pleased to offer funding, through the Small Grants Scheme, to local organisations that are delivering projects to tackle a range of health improvement needs across the South Eastern area.”   

“The organisations that have been awarded a grant will have a positive impact on the identified themes; they will demonstrate innovation, community involvement, creativity such as through the use of community arts projects to further health and social wellbeing in the area.”

Notes to the editor
  • The South Eastern area is made up of the following local authorities: Down, Lisburn, North Down, Ards.