Funding better health and wellbeing for Wirral
Voluntary and community health projects across Wirral are benefitting from £202,000 funding.
Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG) has awarded funding to 23 projects that improve people’s health and wellbeing or improve health-related quality of life for carers.
Black and racial minority outreach service Wirral Change is one organisation to benefit, receiving funding for two separate projects.
The first is a work club to improve employability prospects for black and minority ethnic people with mental health issues. The club will provide weekly one-to-one support for individuals, including job coaching, help with CVs, interview practice and ICT skills, to improve confidence and self-esteem.
The second project focuses on supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of black and minority ethnic carers across Wirral through the development of a weekly peer support group where carers can share experiences and befriend others in a similar situation.
Clint Agard, Chief Executive of Wirral Change, said: “There isn’t a huge amount of support specifically aimed at black and ethnic minority groups in Wirral, which makes this funding incredibly valuable to us.
“It will enable us to set up a carers’ support group and a work club so we can target help, advice, information and support at those who need it to help improve their quality of life and general health and wellbeing.”
Another organisation to benefit from the funding is Bebington Day Centre, which received £9,300 to create Highcroft Garden Café. The café is dedicated to helping people with disabilities to make lifestyle changes and find work.
Cindy O'Hara, a committee member for Bebington Day Centre, said: “The new café is spacious and accessible with a focus on healthy eating. Work opportunities will be aimed at those trying to cope with disabilities who often struggle to access mainstream facilities and the location at Highcroft means there will always be onsite personal care and special equipment available.”
Organisations were invited to apply for funding of up to £10,000 for projects that meet WCCG’s strategic aims of improving people’s health and wellbeing or improving health-related quality of life for carers.
Voluntary and Community Action Wirral facilitated the programme on behalf of WCCG and set up an independent panel that worked through the dozens of applications and chose 23 that meet the WCCG’s funding criteria.
Doctor Phil Jennings, Chair of Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I was delighted to see so many applications for funding. It highlights how many voluntary and community organisations there are out there working hard to improve the lives and health of Wirral people and carers.
“The projects we awarded funding to are all extremely worthy causes and l look forward to seeing the good work in action across the borough in coming months.”