Celebration event marks second anniversary of Community Innovation Fund
THURSDAY, 23 MARCH, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PHOTO OF PROFESSOR JOHN CONNELL WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FUNDED PROJECTS
Celebration event marks second anniversary of Community Innovation Fund
A showcase event was held in The Steeple in Dundee to celebrate the success of community projects funded by NHS Tayside’s Community Innovation Fund.
Representatives from over 40 funded projects from across Tayside presented their work to NHS Tayside Chairman, Professor John Connell and share their ideas and information with other projects. Over 120 community groups have been awarded money since the launch of the Fund two years ago.
The Community Innovation Fund, which builds on the work of the former cash4communities fund, helps community groups to develop local improvement projects that will benefit the health and wellbeing of their local population. The Fund is financed through the Tayside Health Fund, the charity for NHS Tayside.
NHS Tayside Chairman, Professor John Connell, said, “I am delighted to see such a wide range of community activities being supported by the Community Innovation Fund. Building resilience in communities is a vital way of helping people to live healthy lives, and is a key part of the strategy of NHS Tayside to improve the wellbeing of the population of the region.
“The examples of the projects highlighted today show really inspirational ways through which people all across Tayside have come together to develop exciting ideas that are now coming to fruition and delivering major benefits to society.”
Sue Black, Project Manager at The Willow Centre, run by Dundee Association for Mental Health, said, “We couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities that the Community Innovation Fund has given us. Greenbuds project has significantly improved the lives of people throughout Dundee who experience many health inequalities.
“We have found that everyone who has accessed our service has something worthwhile to give and each individual has skills and experience that others can benefit from. Working in the natural environment has enabled individuals to gain in confidence, increase motivation and engage in their community thus improving their overall wellbeing leading to improvements in the local community too. None of this would be possible without the support that NHS Tayside Community Innovation Fund gave us.”
Richard McIntosh, Community Capacity Building Officer with NHS Tayside said, “Today is a celebration of the incredible work of community groups across Tayside where people have come together to make their lives healthier, to make the lives of other people better and, ultimately, make a better society for us all.
“NHS Tayside is a strong believer in the role community groups play and how their activities make a vital contribution to a healthier society. Community groups build their activities from firsthand experience and maximise the local knowledge and connections available.
“The Fund can really go to the heart of a community to make a difference, supporting local people to make decisions about the changes they want to see to help them improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of their own communities.”
The Community Innovation Fund aims to support new, innovative projects which will work in partnership with communities in disadvantaged areas, promoting quality of life, overall health and wellbeing and creating a stronger sense of community and social relationships.
Community groups can apply for any amount between £500 and £25,000 over a three-year period to establish new and innovative projects.
Anyone interested in applying or finding out more information should visit the website www.communityinnovationfundtayside.scot.nhs.uk
Notes to editor:
• Any community-led organisation can apply to the Community Innovation Fund for funding for a project in a community in an area of need.
• The project must show ongoing benefits and improvements to the community
• The Fund enables people to identify issues of concern in their community and to take improvement action.
• The Fund aims to help people to form partnerships with others who can provide assistance to work together to bring about change.
Funded project participants with presentations |
DUNDEE: • Dundee International Women's Centre • Greenbuds (Dundee Association for Mental Health) • Lochee Community Group • RockSolid Youth Project • • PERTH & KINROSS: • CheckIn Works • Wisecraft - Wellbeing Hub (PKAVS) • South Perth Community Partnership • • ANGUS: • Carnoustie & Monifieth Men's Shed • Forfar Open Garden Space • Kirriemuir Community Allotment Association • |
Funded projects with displays |
Angus • Angus Cycle Hub • Arbroath Men's Shed • Glensview Community Group, Forfar • Links Park Community Trust, Montrose • Volunteer at Hospitalfield, Arbroath • • Dundee • Along Came Kirsty • Boomerang Centre (Men's Programme) • Bottom of the Hill Tenants Association • Deaf Links • Dundee Healthy Living Initiative • Dundee Voluntary Action (Lochee Community HUB) • Finmill Community Safety Panel • Hot Chocolate Trust • The MAXwell Information Centre • Ninewells Community Garden • One Parent Family Scotland • Showcase The Street • Parent to Parent • Gowrie Care Communities • Volunteer Dundee • • Perth & Kinross • Atholl Centre (Atholl Baptist Centre Ltd), Pitlochry • Carse of Gowrie & District Mens Shed • Forward Coupar Angus • Highland Perthshire Yoga and Wellbeing • Home-Start Perth (Breast Feeding) • Mindspace (Perth Association for Mental Health) • RASAC • St Madoes and Kinfauns Parish Church • (SCYD) Strathmore Centre for Youth Development • The Workshop – Aberfeldy |
Contact:
Gaynyr Dickson
NHS Tayside Communications
(01382) 740716
