Macclesfield District CVS

CVS:
81 Park Lane, Macclesfield; 01625 428 301

Volunteer Centre:

125 Park Lane, Macclesfield; 01625 439 736

http://www.macclesfieldanddistrictcvs.co.uk/

Liz Hudson of Macclesfield District CVS is compiling a series of articles about grant funders with a special interest in mental health. Her first article is about Comic Relief.

Everyone has heard of Red Nose Day, and everyone is probably aware that it’s to do with raising funds for Comic Relief. Not everyone knows that a substantial part of these funds go to support mental health groups.

Comic Relief’s website (www.comicrelief.com) makes the point that one in four people are affected at some point in their lives by mental health problems, and explains that the grants programme is intended to address the issues of exclusion and stigma.

The main grants programme aims to support the rights of people with mental health problems, making awards in excess of £5,000. There is also a small grants programme for user-led mental health groups who are trying to get people with mental health problems more involved in developing mental health policies and services.

Here are two examples of the sort of projects which have been funded:

Sound Minds (£88,000) - a project to help musicians, artists and workshop leaders with mental health problems access seasonal employment, thus addressing the fact that nearly 80% of people with severe and enduring mental health problems are unemployed.

Beyond the Cuckoo’s Nest (£5,000) – funding for a small mental health organisation which gives presentations in local schools and colleges, and trains police and ambulance staff and other agencies to be aware of mental health issues, thus reducing the stigma of mental illness.

For more advice on grants and funding contact Macclesfield CVS on 01625 428 301 or your local volunteer Service.