NEW FUND TO PROVIDE BOOST FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
A new £500,000 Innovation Fund is to be made available for voluntary organisations that seek to improve health and wellbeing, it was announced today.
The Fund will be provided and administered by Edinburgh’s Health and Social Care Partnership and organisations are being asked to apply for grant funding to help them meet the changing needs of people in the capital. The City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian are inviting charitable, voluntary and not-for-profit groups to get in touch if they would like to bid for a share of the funding, which is designed to encourage a more innovative approach to the way health and social care services are delivered.
Organisations can apply for funding across specific categories, including:
Social Media in Mental Health – to encourage the use or development of online networks to aid the recovery of people affected by mental health issues.
Carer Support – to help young carers and to provide financial advice to carers of all ages.Kick Start Funding – to support new initiatives that demonstrate innovative practice.
The applications will then be considered by a panel of service users and carers, along with representatives of the Council, NHS Lothian and other partner organisations.
Convener of Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Ricky Henderson, said: “This is a great opportunity for local voluntary organisations that are looking at inventive ways to deliver care services in the city.
“There are ever-increasing demands on these services and it is vital that we work with our partners in the voluntary sector to make sure that we meet the health and social care needs of people throughout Edinburgh.
“I know that there are many organisations in the capital that do excellent work and I would encourage them to apply to the Innovation Fund so that we can help them achieve their goals.”
Applications can be made online, by visiting: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/marketshaping
Tim Montgomery, Interim General Manager, Edinburgh Community Health Partnership, said: “The voluntary sector does a great job for the people of Edinburgh.
“The support of the voluntary sector for carers and individuals is invaluable and by working with NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council, the sector helps us provide a wide range of health and social care services.
“This fund will enable voluntary organisations to improve health and wellbeing in innovative ways in order to meet the city’s evolving needs in this area.
“We’d strongly encourage voluntary organisations to come forward and apply for this funding.”
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