Wandsworth Care Alliance

Health Inequalities Fund: welfare support and legal advice for all people

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people sat in a group with laptops collaborating

To be effective in tackling health inequalities we must not just react to illness but also prevent illness by helping people to live well and stay well. Some people may struggle to access welfare and legal advice, (particularly those belonging to less advantaged groups).

People need a good standard of living and protected rights to stay healthy.

WCA are programme managing the Health Inequalities Fund to allocate funds to voluntary sector projects in Wandsworth and create a steering group to deepen conversation about this issue and address barriers to accessing local services. Project delivery will run from March 2024 – March 2025.

What groups are we working with that experience health inequalities?

Organisations who work with the community in the following 6 theme groups are being invited to collaborate and join the following project information sessions.

19th February – 11:00-12:00 Unpaid/young carers project – RSVP

19th February – 14:00-15:00 Learning difficulties/autism project – RSVP

20th February – 11:00-12:00 Black/Asian/Global majority ethnic project – RSVP

20th February – 14:00-15:00 LGBTQIA+ project – RSVP

21st February – 14:00-15:00 Asylum seekers and refugees project – RSVP

22nd February – 14:00-15:00 Socially isolated people project – RSVP

Is there funding available to support the projects?

Funding may be available to support people with activity addressing these issues at the discretion of the lead organisations who will be organising an engagement group in March 2024.

Could you be a project lead?

Do you believe your organisation is a leading voice in Wandsworth on engaging people in one of these 6 key themes? You could be a project lead and access funding support from £10k-£80k.

Project leads will receive a fund and a programme manager for development support.

We are taking project proposals for 6 project leads (1 per theme) in the voluntary sector from 5th February – 29th February.

What’s the expectation for health inequalities project leads?

These projects must build on insight (from existing work with one of the above themes in the community) but we also expect you to propose a new approach to work and activity to engage people in welfare support and legal advice.

You must be prepared to engage other organisations in the delivery of this work at steering group meetings.

You must agree reporting requirements and accommodate external evaluation at the end of the project.

How to apply to be project lead

Register your interest by emailing communications@wandcareall.org.uk

We will be in touch with more information.

Want to hear about other funds and opportunities for voluntary sector organisations in Wandsworth? Join our mailing list.

Health & Wellness Coaching for Chronic Pain? Local Hospitals Pilot Social Prescribing Programme

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Wandsworth resident June said she has “regained control of her life” after living with chronic pain, thanks to a pilot health project with social prescribing services in hospitals. June was referred to the chronic pain service at St George’s where she started working with a Health and Wellbeing Coach, Sam.

June’s problems with pain started after she was injured in an accident on her 70th birthday. “I was left in excruciating pain running from my head to my feet and had tried everything to help after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia,” she said.

“I was stressed at home over house repairs, pain and was gaining weight.”

June claims that receiving coaching has changed her life and given her a sense of self worth.

“Often, hospital pain clinics will have exhausted medical options such as medication or procedures.” Dr Sekeram. Early results from this pilot are due to end later this year.

Read the full article, https://www.southwestlondonics.org.uk/local-stories/pilot-health-project-restores-lives-of-people-in-chronic-pain/?dm_i=790E,H7WT,1I0FFW,25XBS,1

Wandsworth Council Double Cost-of-Living Fund from £5m-£10m

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Wandsworth Council have announced that their support for residents to face the cost-of-living crisis has doubled, using careful budgeting to ensure that council tax stays low.

Councillor Hogg said: “This week we’ve announced that we’ll double our budget for supporting people through the Cost of Living Crisis to £10m – making our response the capital’s biggest.

“We know families are struggling to pay for basics like fuel and food and there’s no sign of things improving anytime soon.

“That’s why we’re putting another £5m into our Cost of Living reserve fund. We’ve also ringfenced more money to help refugees and the homeless.

“We’re funding free gym and swim and free school uniforms for low-income families.

“Now, using the insights of the Wandsworth Cost of Living Commission, we will look at longer-term action we and the community as a whole can take to reduce the effects of the crisis in the future.

Have you, or people you work with been adversely affected by the cost-of-living crisis in Wandsworth? Do you have any views on how the borough can support mental health services during this time? We invite you to voice your views.

Read more about the Council’s approach to the cost-of-living crisis here,

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-july-2023/council-leader-announces-doubling-of-funds-to-help-residents-through-cost-of-living-crisis/?utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery

£250 Funds for Events Supporting Older People

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The Brighter Living Fund started in 2021 to help Organisations hold Brighter Living Events for older Wandsworth residents in the month of October.

In October, we celebrate the national events: Silver Sunday and Older People’s Day. For Brighter Living in later life, Wandsworth borough council will publish a programme of events spanning the month of October as part of their Brighter Living Fair.

Submit an event for funding deadline: 20th August.

The programme will be finalised and released in September.

If you work with older people in Wandsworth, you can apply for a £250 grant to host your event. Find out more about the opportunity on the Wandsworth Council website.

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/events/brighter-living-fair/

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