NHS Grampian Charity has awarded more than £230,000 to community-led health and wellbeing projects through the latest round of its Community Grants Programme, bringing the total awarded through the programme to £1.1million since its launch in 2020.
A total of 29 charities and community organisations have received funding through the latest round of the programme, which provides grants to support health and wellbeing initiatives in communities across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Projects receiving support include therapeutic workshops, practical skills classes, peer-support initiatives, sensory facilities, toys and play equipment, and much more.
Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, says: “We received an incredible number of applications for this year’s Community Grants Programme and are delighted to be supporting 30 organisations across Grampian.
“These projects aim to improve the health and wellbeing of people in our communities through activities focusing on healthy eating, exercise, mental health peer-support, education, and much more.”
AberNecessities are one of the charity’s to have received a grant this year. The Aberdeen-based charity provides disadvantaged families with the essential and basic necessities that no child should go without. From nappies and formula milk to toys and warm winter coats, AberNecessities support children from birth to 18 years, to help give them the best start possible.
Danielle Fletcher-Horn, founder of AberNecessities, says: “AberNecessities are incredibly grateful to receive funding to purchase beds alongside our ‘snug as a bug’ bags for 43 local children.
“Not only will these ensure children have a safe and appropriate place to sleep, but they gift children the opportunity to learn, play and thrive the following day. We thank NHS Grampian Charity for sharing our belief and vision that no child should go without sweet dreams.”
Lisa Duthie NHS Grampian Charity with Bertie from AberNecessities
NHS Grampian Charity launched its Community Grants Programme in 2020 to provide support to community groups and organisations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, the charity has gone on to fund almost 150 community-led health and wellbeing initiatives across Grampian totalling £1.1million.
Ms Duthie says: “We are lucky to have so many incredible charities and community-led organisations who are supporting people across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
“Enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people of Grampian is our biggest priority, and it is wonderful to see the broad range of projects that we have been able to fund since our Community Grants Programme began.
“These activities, along with the projects we fund in NHS Grampian hospitals, are only possible because of the incredibly generous donations made by the people of Grampian.
“Thank you to every single one of our supporters – together we are making a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing.”
NHS Grampian Charity is the official charity of NHS Grampian and the largest health improvement charity in the north-east. It funds projects, services and research which enhance patient experiences in more than 20 hospitals across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, as well as supporting community-led health and wellbeing initiatives across the region.