Grants available to the voluntary and community sector
Voluntary and community organisations in Wandsworth can apply for grants of up to £3,000 to develop services for residents
The grants are available from Social Prescribing Wandsworth, which helps improve people’s health and wellbeing by connecting them to activities and services within their community. Since its launch in November 2019, the scheme has helped more than 1,500 Wandsworth residents find support.
Social prescribing was developed in response to the fact that many people visit their GP about issues, where the root cause is non-medical. It works by putting the patient in touch with a social prescribing link worker, who will help them find the right support for their needs. This could be help managing stress, social groups to tackle loneliness, learning new skills or being more physically active. Link workers also help people find information on employment, benefits, housing and legal issues.
Seven social prescribing link workers, with access to more than 170 local voluntary groups, are based in GP practices across the Wandsworth borough. During lockdown, link workers have continued to provide telephone support to people identified by GPs as most vulnerable.
Dr Mohan Sekeram, a GP and clinical lead for social prescribing for NHS South West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “The overall aim of social prescribing is to help people take control of their own health, and this new social prescribing grant fund will help ensure there are enough opportunities within the community to allow people to do this.
“The voluntary and community sector has provided invaluable support for vulnerable residents during the pandemic, despite being under increased pressure and seeing unprecedented demand. These grants can help organisations adapt and continue their amazing work in the ‘new normal’, meaning more residents can access the support they need to live happy and healthy lives.”
Social Prescribing Wandsworth is delivered by Enable Leisure & Culture and is commissioned by NHS South West London CCG, which has provided the £18,000 in funding for the grants. The service is delivered in partnership with Wandsworth GP practices, Wandsworth Council and the voluntary and community sector.
Any organisation that supports Wandsworth residents can apply for grants of up to £3,000, even if they haven’t received referrals from social prescribing before. The closing date for applications is 31 July 2020 and successful applicants will be awarded their grants in September.
For more information about the grant fund and how to apply visit www.enablelc.org/socialprescribing or contact Beth Brown at bbrown@enablelc.org