Local community and voluntary groups in the Sedgefield area have benefited from over £20k in funding from the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), to support mental health and wellbeing.
NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group the organisation responsible for planning and buying the majority of health services in the area set aside the pot of money for a Mental Health and Wellbeing Innovation Grant.
The initiative was supported by the Health Networks in each area and using a similar format to the well-known television series Dragon’s Den, the CCG asked the local voluntary and community sector to pitch their ideas to a panel of ‘Dragons’, which included local GP’s.
Yesterday, the successful projects were presented with a certificate to mark their award. They are: North East Autism Society, £6,461 – Working in the Newton Aycliffe area to support healthy eating and exercise for toddlers with autism and associated learning difficulties; Shildon Saint John’s Church Community Garden – £8,500. Healthier lifestyle through gardening and healthy eating. Cornforth Partnership £9,566 – First Steps to a healthier lifestyle.
Each applicant was asked to link their project to the CCG’s strategic objectives, to put forward innovative proposals and embrace the project goal to ‘Improve the mental health and wellbeing of individuals in the localities of Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield.’
Annie Dolphin, Lay Chairperson of Durham Dales, Easington & Sedgefield CCG said: “I would like to congratulate every one of our successful projects and look forward to seeing their work develop to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people in their areas.
We were astounded to hear of the work carried out by our local community and voluntary groups, many of which are supported by people who give up their time to volunteer and make a difference in their local community.
“Our panel was truly humbled to hear about their plans and we are proud to be involved in supporting them to deliver their projects across the CCG area.”
