Partnership launches its Health Inequalities Grant Fund

Posted on: 28 April 2020

West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership (WY&H HCP) launched their Health Inequalities Grant Fund today (Tuesday 28 April) to help reduce the gap in health equalities across the area. The Partnership includes Bradford district and Craven; Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.

£450,000 of funds has been made available to voluntary and community organisations to help tackle the impact on people’s health affected by COVID-19. In particular, WY&H HCP are looking for innovative and sustainable community support for people who are worst affected by the impact of the pandemic. For example those who live alone and cannot access social activities, people whose mental health and financial circumstances have changed significantly due to the pandemic. The aim is to also share good practice across the area, which is one of the very reasons WY&H HCP exists.

Robin Tuddenham, CEO for Calderdale Council and Co-Chair of the WY&H HCP Improving Population Health Programme said:
‘We are determined to play our part in supporting work being done by our voluntary and community partners with those disproportionately affected through the current COVID-19 pandemic, such as low income families, those experiencing social isolation, and the impact of poverty. This funding will enable VCS partners to address health inequalities and enhance their already vital work in place.’

Applicants must be able to show that they are addressing a specific need in their community. It’s about practical projects that provide real, tangible support to those that need it most. This includes approaches that enable safer communities, to those that increase resilience and reduce health inequalities, whilst promoting healthier lives.

Voluntary and community organisations will be invited to apply for grant funding for up to £50,000. Six funds will be available for up to £25,000, with another six grants between £25,000 and £50,000.

Dr James Thomas, Chair of NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, who is also the Co-Chair for the Improving Population Health Programme said:
‘We welcome applications from partnerships that are supporting people living in one or more of the six areas that make up the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Partnership. In particular, those partnerships between the NHS, councils, community groups, charities, social enterprises or other charitable organisations from the third sector that can work across the sector and organisations boundaries’.

Rob Webster, WY&HCP CEO Lead said:
‘This is the latest tranche of funding we are making available to voluntary and community organisations through our partnership. It comes at a time when their work can help support people who were already subject to significant inequality, that Covid-19 will risk making worse. The fact we have such a strong partnership with the third sector helps get money out and delivery happening where it is needed most’.

The fund opens on Tuesday 28 April 2020 and the deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday 8 June 2020. Decisions will be made by a virtual panel and applicants will be notified before 30 June 2020.

More information can be found here.

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