NHS Tayside launches groundbreaking fund – cash4communities
NHS Tayside has launched a pioneering £2million fund to benefit communities across the area. The cash4communities project will see members of the public able to apply for a share of the fund to take forward their own ideas to tackle some of the main challenges faced by people living in communities today.
The cash4communities project is funded by the NHS Tayside Innovation Fund which was set up by NHS Tayside’s Board of Trustees. The Trustees approved £2m to be designated from Tayside NHS Board Endowment Fund Unrestricted Funds to establish the Innovation Fund.
It was decided to set up the fund to try to help change communities for the better with the communities themselves coming forward with ideas on what they believe will make the greatest difference to their own health and wellbeing and the lives of their families.
NHS Tayside has been asking local people what they would like to change about their lives and where they live. The responses showed that people were not only concerned with their health but rather with problems on the streets where they live, with their housing, vandalism, feeling safe and having no clean, safe outdoor spaces where they could go with their families.
However, it is well evidenced that all of these things can have a negative effect on people’s health and the way they feel. That is why NHS Tayside is making these funds available for communities to enhance their environments, promote community spirit and inspire pride in neighbourhoods.
Groups are invited to apply for a share of the funds between £500 and £35,000 on an annual basis to establish projects or take action to tackle issues which affect the everyday lives of people living in communities. The fund is particularly looking for new and inventive ways of helping communities. Anyone interested in applying should go to www.cash4communities.scot.nhs.uk to find an application form and guidance notes on who can apply, what they can apply for and how to fill in the form.
Launching the new fund at the Celebration of Volunteering in Angus event in Arbroath, Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside Director of Public Health said, “We are delighted to be launching such an innovative project which can really go to the heart of a community to make a difference.
“We know that people and their families often have problems with the environment in which they live with issues like vandalism, no safe places for their children to play and the impact of drugs on their street or community.
“All of these issues occur more frequently in more disadvantaged communities and that is why we believe the cash4communites project will play a vital role in supporting local people to make decisions on the changes they want to see and help them improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of their own communities.”
Caroline Selkirk, NHS Tayside Deputy Chief Executive, added, “We know that many people are actively working to improve things in local communities. NHS Tayside wants to put its resources behind helping communities make changes for themselves.
“This cash4communities fund is looking to support sustainable projects which will work in partnership with residents and communities in disadvantaged areas, promoting quality of life, overall health and wellbeing and creating a stronger sense of community and social relationships.”
For more information about cash4communities and the Innovation Fund go to www.cash4communities.scot.nhs.uk.