NHS Tayside

11-05-15 Community Innovation Fund Information Sessions

MONDAY, 11 MAY, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Innovation Fund Information Sessions

A series of information and advice sessions are being held across Angus for interested applicants to learn more about NHS Tayside’s Community Innovation Fund.

The Community Innovation Fund, which builds on the work of the former cash4communities fund, aims to help community groups to develop local improvement projects that will benefit the health and wellbeing of their local population. The Fund is financed through the Tayside Health Fund, the charity for NHS Tayside.

A series of information sessions are being held throughout Angus on the following dates:

• Monday, 18 May, The Library, Hill Terrace, Arbroath. 12-3pm

• Tuesday, 19 May, The Library, High Street, Montrose. 12-3pm

• Wednesday, 20 May, Fairlie House, Kirkton Court, Kirriemuir. 12-3pm

• Thursday, 21 May, Damacre Centre, Damacre Road, Brechin. 12-3pm

• Friday, 22 May, Montrose Road Centre, Montrose Road, Forfar. 12-3pm

Richard McIntosh, community capacity building officer said, “We are holding these drop-in sessions so that anyone with an idea that could help their local community can come along and have a chat with us and find out more about how we can help. Often people just need a little support and funding to get started.

“The Fund can really go to the heart of a community to make a difference supporting local people to make decisions about the changes they want to see to help them improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of their own communities.

“The Community Innovation Fund hopes to support new, innovative projects which will work in partnership with communities in disadvantaged areas, promoting quality of life, overall health and wellbeing and creating a stronger sense of community and social relationships.”

Community groups can apply for any amount between £500 and £35,000 on an annual basis to establish new and innovative projects.

Anyone interested in applying or finding out more information should come along to the information sessions or visit the website www.communityinnovationfundtayside.scot.nhs.uk

Drop in sessions in Perth will be announced in the coming weeks.

Notes to editor:

• Any community-led organisation can apply to the Community Innovation Fund for funding for a project in a community in an area of need.

• The project must show ongoing benefits and improvements to the community

• The Fund enables people to identify issues of concern in their community and to take improvement action.

• The Fund aims to help people to form partnerships with others who can provide assistance to work together to bring about change.

• The Fund has already supported

o Healthy Start Cafe in Angus

o Edzell Community Health Transport

o Coupar Angus Regeneration Trust

o Perth Creative Community Collaborative

o Perth Six Circle Project