Community organisations in Gateshead are being invited to bid for grants of up to £10,000 from the NHS as health bosses look to help run activities tackling mental health and isolation.
The Newcastle Gateshead NHS CCG is looking to give out the money to boost small organisations which could be offering anything from cooking classes to gardening in hope of increasing community support for those who have seen their mental health hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Jessica Thompson - a GP in the borough and the CCG's mental health lead - said: "It's been a difficult couple of years and many of us have felt isolated or need a helping hand with our mental health. We have added new services for anyone needing advice or support, but this new scheme is something different.
"From art, music or heritage, to sport, gardening or cooking, local activities can bring us together and help to improve our mental health. This fund is about supporting the activities that help us stay in better mental health. If an older person is feeling isolated, getting out of the house and seeing friends at a lunch club can often be better than a prescription from the doctor.
"Lots of groups are making a difference already – we want to build on that and learn more about anything that may be stopping people from getting involved and getting the benefits."
Up to 15 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations will be able to benefit from the funding, which is aimed at those with an annual income of less than a million pounds. However, larger charities may be eligible for the support if it turns out they are best placed to meet the needs of the Gateshead community.
Health bosses also highlighted that the aim of the project was to support early-intervention projects which help people's mental health and keep them part of the community. Details of the scheme are available on the Newcastle Gateshead CCG website. The deadline for charities to express interest in April 29.
In recent months the CCG has begun a number of initiatives in attempt to help those suffering with mental ill health in the aftermath of Covid-19 and the lockdowns we have seen. These included the January launch of a mental health support line in collaboration with Tyneside and Northumberland Mind.
Alex Wilson, chief exec of the charity added: "We have experienced a crisis of an unprecedented nature and we will continue to feel the effects of this for some time to come. The mental health of our community has been hit hard and we have been working relentlessly to ensure no one has to suffer alone.
"Covid-19 has sparked fear, frustration and anxiety all around and so much has changed."
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