ETHNICALLY diverse communities in Warwickshire have another chance to apply for a funding boost.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has announced its final round of funding to support the health and wellbeing of diverse communities is open.
The most recent annual report from Warwickshire’s Director of Public Health highlighted the negative impact Covid has had upon the county’s ethnically diverse communities. As a result, WCC is offering a final share of £325,000 funding to address this and help make improvements to health.
Community groups can apply for the grant if they need support in areas such as:
– Reducing social isolation
– Mental health and wellbeing
– Unemployment
– Physical health
The previous rounds of grant funding have supported a range of community groups across the county.
Otra Cosa Network, based in Warwick, received grant funding to support their Latin American community allotment. Bringing together the Hispanic community, activities not only include gardening but also information sharing workshops, cooking, exercise classes and providing a safe space for people in the community to socialise.
Mariella Romanach from Otra Cosa said: “We used the grant funding to help purchase equipment for our community allotment. The allotment has provided the group with a project where we have all learnt how to cultivate vegetables, we even created our raised beds from upcycled wood and have been able to help the wider community by purchasing any equipment from local independent suppliers.
“We even encouraged the children to get involved and they helped us to plant our lettuces into the ground.
“The group has provided a sense of community among Hispanic families, we have been able to share experiences, for example, talking about family bereavement particularly due to Covid, and many have family further away and are able to support one another through shared experiences.
“Working together has really given us all a sense of achievement and helped to lift the spirits of the group members.”
Coun Margaret Bell, WCC’s spokesperson for adult social care and health, added: “Supporting health and wellbeing is incredibly important following the Covid pandemic and now as we see increased pressures from the rising cost of living. Improving wellbeing in our communities, especially for those who have been more adversely affected, is a key priority and this funding will enable local groups to help people they support.”
For more information visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/impactgrant
All applications should be submitted online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/impactgrant by 11pm on Sunday October 16.
