NHS Grampian Charity has announced over £160,000 of funding for community-led health and wellbeing projects across Grampian.
The charity will support 19 local projects across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray through its annual Community Grants Programme.
The programme awards grants of up to £10,000 for projects which improve access to health provision, enhance healthcare experiences, and empower individuals to better manage their own health.
Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, says: “The latest round of our Community Grants Programme received a huge number of applications from an incredible range of charities and community groups across Grampian, and we are thrilled to be able to support the 19 projects which have been awarded funding this year.
“These projects focus on improving the physical and mental health of the people of Grampian in various ways including the provision of sport and exercise facilities, access to healthy cooking classes, mental health peer-support initiatives, and much more.
“We are very lucky to have so many local organisations in Grampian who share our passion for health and wellbeing, and we look forward to helping them deliver their goals.”
Aberdeen Lads Club Community Project is one of the organisations to receive a grant from the charity. The club, which provides a range of childcare, youth engagement and family support services, has been awarded £6,566 to purchase new sports equipment for children and young people accessing its recently refurbished facilities at Dill Road, Tillydrone.
Angie Johnston, Aberdeen Lads Club charity manager, says: “We are incredibly grateful to have been chosen by NHS Grampian Charity as one of its latest beneficiaries.
“The mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing of our children and young people, as well as their families, is at the heart of everything that we do, and so to be able to purchase new equipment for our games hall is a major boost.
“The benefits of exercise are well documented and so to be able to extend the range of physical activities we can offer is absolutely brilliant. We cannot thank NHS Grampian Charity enough.”
The Community Grants Programme, which was first launched in 2020, has now delivered almost £900,000 of funding to over 100 local projects across Grampian.
The other organisations who received grants this year are:
Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club: £9,806.80 for the expansion of the ‘AAAC Energizer Programme’ for children
Aberdeen Cyrenians: £10,000 for the provision of ‘Neighbourhood Connection’ services
Alcohol & Drugs Action: £9,790 for the testing and development of a recovery app
Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland: £9,401 for the delivery of an Autism and Neurodiversity-specific after school club
Banchory & District Initiative: £9,100 for the delivery of the ‘Community Recovery Buddies’ scheme
Citymoves Dance Agency: £9,855.50 for the expansion of the ‘Dance Health’ programme and the delivery of a pilot ‘Dance for Dementia’ project
Cruse Bereavement Support: £7,090 for the delivery of one-to-one early support sessions for recently bereaved people experiencing complicated grief
Earthtime for All: £5,064 for the deliver of nature-based walks and activities for pregnant women and new mums
Ellon Community Allotments: £10,000 towards the purchase of allotment equipment including a polytunnel and raised beds
Garioch Community Kitchen: £6,413.10 for the delivery of cooking courses to encourage healthy eating
Grampian Regional Equality Council: £10,000 for the deliver of the ‘Health Champions’ project
The Haven: £4,600 for the expansion of a wellbeing group for new mums
Mearns & Coastal Healthy Living Network: £9,822.60 to deliver the ‘Past Times Group’ for people living with dementia and cognitive impairment
Moray Rape Crisis: £10,000 for the delivery of the ‘Connection and Community’ groupwork programme
Pillar Kincardine: £8,706 for the delivery of the ‘Mind and Body Programme’
Robert Gordon University: £9,966 for the delivery of a student-led exercise group for people with neurological conditions
Sport Aberdeen: £9,720 for the delivery of entry level fitness programmes to support the physical and mental health of New Scots
Step by Step in Moray: £4,870 for the delivery of a parental support group