The National Academy for Social Prescribing and Arts Council England have announced the launch of a new £1.4 million Thriving Communities Fund, established to develop local social prescribing activities across England. Social prescribing is a way of connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Funding will encourage partnerships led by voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups and organisations working in the arts, nature, sport, financial wellbeing, and health and care to increase social prescribing activities that benefit their communities and provide support for people impacted by Covid-19, particularly Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities. Grants of between £25,000 and £50,000 will be available and partnerships will need to provide 20% match funding. The deadline for applications is 12pm on the 8th January 2021. Click here
Applications for round 2 of the Voice4Change Covid-19 Grants Programme open today (Wednesday 25 November) at 1pm. The fund supports Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) led community groups and organisations that work primarily with BAME communities. To be considered for support, organisations should have an annual income of under £200,000, although organisations with larger incomes will be considered in exceptional circumstances. Grants of between £5000 and £10,000 are available to organisations that deliver the following services:
- COVID 19 services. Groups can apply for help with current costs if their funding has been affected by the pandemic.
- Mental health and well-being services, particularly to those who have been further impacted by COVID 19
- Sports activities to tackle BAME inequalities and help with the impact of COVID 19
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 3 December. Find out more here.