Nine organisations and charities have been awarded grants from the Bracknell Forest Innovation Fund. The funds will be used to launch and expand local projects to improve the health and wellbeing of clinically, extremely vulnerable (CEV) residents, their families and unpaid carers.
The Bracknell Forest Innovation Fund, led by the council and NHS Frimley, allocates funding to local community ideas and projects that would benefit the lives of CEV residents and those closest to them. The pandemic continues to effect people, especially those who were advised to stay at home. The chosen projects will help increase access to the community and reduce social isolation.
Grants have been awarded to the following organisations and their respective projects:
- Age Concern Bracknell - community groups and weekend lunch club
- Age UK Berkshire - befriending for over 75s
- The Ark - befriending for under 75s and subsidised community transport
- Intergenerational Music Making (IMM) - intergenerational music and movement health prevention program
- Berks and Bucks County FA - walking football for those with neurological illnesses, for example, Parkinson’s
- Sandhurst Day Centre Association – funding a minibus for access to day centres
- Dogs for Good - animal assisted intervention programme and one to one work
- Citizens Advice East Berkshire - PIP application support
- Berkshire Birds of Prey - animal interaction sessions at care homes/community activities
Cllr Megan Wright, executive member for adult services, health and housing, said:
“We have been really inspired by the work these local organisations do and are so pleased to be able to help them continue and build on the invaluable support they have been providing.
“As part of our health and wellbeing strategy, we are really committed to addressing health inequalities in the borough and hope that these projects can help those who may be feeling isolated as a result of the pandemic, or a long-term health condition, get back into the community and taking part in some fun activities.”
Nicola Airey, director of commissioning and assurance, place convenor Bracknell Forest, said:
"We know that good health is based on a number of factors. The Innovation Fund allows us to provide communities with the means of getting to the heart of some of those issues that can have a negative impact on a person's health and wellbeing and support real improvements.
"We are committed to working in partnership with local people, the council and the local community and voluntary organisations to achieve our ambitions for healthier communities in Bracknell Forest. I'm so please that we received such interest and have been able to support so many fantastic projects."
Learn more about the Bracknell Forest Innovation Fund and how it helps the local community by visiting Frimley Health and Care.
