AN ABUNDANCE of projects aimed at improving health and care for Silhillians have secured nearly £1.8million.
The monies, from the Integrated Care System’s (ICS) Fairer Futures Fund, has been handed to 20 projects across the borough – made up 17 small grants schemes worth £165,580, joined by three larger projects which have attracted a total of £1,612,570.
The ICS’s £25.5million Fund was launched to reduce health inequalities and improve health and care services for patients and citizens across Birmingham and Solihull.
The three large projects in the borough are:
Health in the Hearts of the Community Programme, spearheaded by Colebridge Trust working with, Three Trees, Cars Area Together and Amba care solutions
Solihull Family Hubs which will see Solihull Council working with various voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise and health organisations as part of Solihull’s wider Early Help and prevention offer
And Support for Young People with Health and Wellbeing needs in North Solihull – led by Ordinary Magic working with Urban Heard, Inclusive Sports and Meriden Adventure Playground.
Chet Parmar, chief executive of Colebridge Trust, said: “We will offer comprehensive training and support to our teams of staff and local volunteers to improve health literacy and the understanding of risk factors amongst local residents.
“We will do this through one-to-ones, workshops, community activities, peer-to-peer support groups.”
Michelle O’Connor at Ordinary Magic said: “Our Connected Care project is all about supporting young people to be able to easily access support for their health and wellbeing.
“We’ll be launching JoyApp, for professionals to be able to refer children, young people and their families to a health and wellbeing co-ordinator who can support them to get their needs met through a wide range of place-based services.”
Solihull’s Place Committee, which brings together the NHS, Solihull Council and the voluntary, faith and community sectors, approved the allocation of funding for the 20 projects according to agreed criteria.
The small grant schemes, announced in September 2023 have been distributed by the Heart of England Community Foundation acting on behalf of the Committee.
Tina Costello, chief executive at Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to share news about the latest small grants from the Fairer Futures Fund for Solihull.
“We are proud to support such an array of amazing projects, from a new women’s health support group to a luncheon club and drop-in centre for older people helping to reduce social isolation.
“These groups are already beginning to make use of the funding in their communities, and we can’t wait to see their impact over the coming months.”
