Council grants boost mental health groups

A scheme to develop a community allotment for people with mental ill-health and the creation of a website to recruit volunteer befrienders are just two projects to benefit from a new round of grants from Derbyshire County Council.

Nearly £62,000 has been awarded by the county council to 23 groups through its Capacity Building Grant and Friends and Good Neighbours Grant.

The grants were established as part of the Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network which aims to ensure isolated and vulnerable people who could benefit from befriending support are put in contact with services that can help them.

This round of Capacity Building Grants provide one-off grants of up to £8,000 to groups that are already members of the Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network, so they can extend the services they currently offer.

This can include funding for volunteer training, venue hire or extra resources for a particular project.

The Friends and Good Neighbours Grant scheme helps people who would benefit from some friendly contact with one-off grants of up to £3,000. The grants can pay for community groups to provide activities for people who are at risk of being lonely or socially isolated.

Coun Clare Neil, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “We know that loneliness and isolation in older and vulnerable people is increasing, which is why these grants and the Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network as a whole are so important.

“The excellent work these groups do in their communities is vital in helping people continue living independently, safely and well in their own homes.

“It is a refreshing change to be able to announce some good news and I look forward to visiting some of the projects.”