Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for a short-term funding programme that focuses on improving mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) scheme opens to applications on Wednesday 28th June 2023 and aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities. The funding programme will also support a range of strategic themes and priorities under the ‘Making Life Better’ public health framework, in particular mental health, emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and self-harm.

The ‘Making Life Better’ (Public health framework) priorities
Protect Life 2 - Suicide Prevention Strategy
Mental Health, Emotional Wellbeing, Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm

Fiona Teague, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at PHA, said: “Community and voluntary organisations are most acutely aware of the issues that affect people on the ground and this short-term funding programme will give them the opportunity to address issues of mental health and emotional wellbeing specific to their communities.

“The PHA is keen to invest in programmes that will have a particular focus on using one or more of the ‘Take 5’ Steps to Wellbeing’. These are five simple steps that we can build into our daily lives to maintain and improve wellbeing – Connect, Be active, Keep learning, Give and Take Notice.

Take 5 steps to wellbeing

“We are encouraging applicants to work collaboratively to develop innovative projects and most importantly involve local communities in project design.”

The short-term funding programme provides the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to access small, non-recurring funding which can be used to support health improvement in local communities.

The PHA has commissioned the Clear Project to facilitate this process in each Health and Social Care Trust area.

Brenda Morris, Manager of the Clear Project, said: “Short-term funding plays a vital role in supporting programmes within the community. This work can take a range of forms from self-help and life skills initiatives supporting those in need to giving groups the opportunity to develop and build their capacity to help others.”

Two types of awards are available under the programme:

Award one: Funding of up to £1,000 for non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.
Award two: Funding of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 for constituted, non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.

How do I apply, am I eligible?

To apply for the short-term funding opportunities for Western, Belfast, Northern, South-eastern and Southern Health and Social Care Trust areas, click on the link below.

General Guidance
Guidelines for Completion of Application Form
Online Application Form - (Please note - this is a Word version of the application form for your use only. The online application form needs to be completed).

Completed Application Forms:

Applicants are responsible for ensuring the application is submitted in a timely manner. The Clear Project assumes no legal liability or responsibility resulting from any information technology problems when submitting the application.

Please note: All data entered in the online application form will be saved once you click the 'Save & Submit' button. This can be retrieved by providing all the inputs in the search box popup that appears when the form is loading. (Please note - the link to this form should be live before close of play on Thursday 29th June).