The second phase of Northern Ireland’s mental health support fund is launched today.
Organisations with charitable objectives are invited to submit applications for grants of between £5K and £100k.
The fund, whose first phase for large grants was launched by health minister Robin Swann in July this year, is being administered by the Community Foundation and has been funded from Covid-19 emergency funds.
Welcome announcement
Jeremy Bacon, our Third Sector Lead, said: “This is a welcome announcement that will contribute to the capacity of community-based organisations to support the ten year Mental Health Strategy.
“At our recent Staying Connected event we heard from a number of organisational members about their concerns that, despite the third sector being mentioned in the strategy, their work is often unrecognised and that further effort is required to ensure that community organisations delivering counselling where it is needed most are part of the long-term mental health strategy for Northern Ireland.
“Funding of counselling services for many organisations remains uncertain, so this fund is very welcome.
Choice and access
“This scheme, and further funding investment into community-based counselling services is essential to increase choice and access to counselling for anyone who needs it.”
The Mental Health Support Fund will make a number of calls for applications over two years.
Further details of the fund and application instructions can be found on the Community Foundation web site.
Four nations
Promoting the value of counselling with key decision makers across the parliaments and assemblies of the UK
Northern Ireland mental health strategy commits to investing in counselling
We worked with members and organisations to respond to the consultation that led to the strategy
New portal to help people share their counselling experiences in Northern Ireland
It's part of the 123GP campaign, which calls for timely and easy access to counselling for everyone who needs it