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Grants totalling £250,000 are now available from Bolton’s Fund to help improve people’s health and wellbeing.

Community and voluntary groups can apply for grants of up to £1,500, up to £5,000, or £25,000 and over depending on the project.

Successful projects will work with adults in a variety of ways. These include:

• Improving access to health and wellbeing support and information for communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
• Increasing opportunities for people to be physically active.
• Improving access to health and wellbeing support for women and families about stopping smoking and substance misuse.
• Improving the mental health and wellbeing of adults affected by domestic violence.
• Helping people to maintain and improve their independence.

Bolton’s Fund is a voluntary sector grants programme delivered by Bolton Council, NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Bolton at Home and Bolton CVS (Community and Voluntary Services).

Previous funding rounds have focused on supporting social enterprise, digital inclusion and helping residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to access food and other essentials.

Helen Tomlinson, Interim Chief Executive at Bolton CVS, said: ‘We have seen how vital the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) is in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities in Bolton during the last few months. From supporting those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; providing essential mental health services; promoting physical activity and helping reduce isolation by finding creative ways to connect people - VCSE groups and organisations make a huge difference to people’s lives.

“We are pleased to launch Bolton’s Fund Health and Wellbeing Programme and look forward to hearing about how your group can support in making a difference to the health and wellbeing of people and communities in Bolton.”

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, Chairman of Bolton CCG, said: “This has been a tough year and the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted just how important it is to look after our health and wellbeing.

“People may not have seen their families and loved ones for weeks or months, be worried about their health or job, are finding it hard to get the motivation to be physically active or be spending more time at home with an abusive partner.

“But the pandemic has also shown us how lucky we are to have so many voluntary and community groups in Bolton – and just how vital their work is.

“This latest round of funding will help them to continue the fantastic work they do in supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Cllr Nadim Muslim, said: “We want to support communities across Bolton to live healthier, happier and more active lives.

“Alongside our partners in the health service, we work closely with many charities and voluntary groups to help us achieve this goal.

“This funding will help these groups continue this work that makes such an importance difference on the lives of Bolton residents.”

Applications close at 5pm on 27 January. All Bolton’s Fund grant decisions are made by a panel of independent volunteer assessors from across the community.

For more information and to apply, visit the Bolton CVS website here: www.boltoncvs.org.uk/boltons-fund-0.