By Press Release
World Mental Health Day, on October 10, saw new grant-funding announced to support community-based schemes to help to promote mental well-being and prevent mental ill health.
An additional £50,000 will be made available by the Isle of Wight Council through its Mental Wellbeing Small Grants Fund. The fund supports voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to deliver innovative local projects. It was launched earlier this year by the council’s public health team, in partnership with mental health champion, Cllr Michael Lilley, and Healthwatch Isle of Wight.
Cllr Lilley said: “There are relatively simple steps we can all take to improve our well-being, including connecting with others, keeping active and getting involved in things across our community.
“The cost-of-living crisis will be hardest for people who may already be vulnerable or on low incomes. It is more important than ever to help people get the right support at the time they need it.
“There are some fantastic grass-roots projects across the Island providing warm and safe places for those who need to get help, have someone to talk to and find out where they can get more support if they need it”.
Seventeen organisations have already received one-off grants of between £350 and £5,000, including Men Only Isle of Wight, who have established a Ryde hub offering non-judgmental support and a safe place for men in the community, and Sensory Space CIC to provide peer support and a safe space for parents with children with additional needs.
For further information visit iwmentalhealth.co.uk.