AVA Magazine - September 22

AVA |September 2022 7
Ongoing support, delivered by our team of
Development Officers, will be available to
groups and organisations who are eligible to
apply for the funds.
The overarching aim of The Fund is to support
community-based initiatives that promote and
develop good mental health and wellbeing,
and/or mitigate and protect against the impact
of distress and mental ill health within the adult
population, with a particular focus on:
1. Tackling priority issues within the Transition
and Recovery Plan such as suicide
prevention, social isolation and loneliness,
prevention, and early intervention.
2. Addressing the mental health inequalities
exacerbated by the pandemic and the
needs of a range of ‘at risk’ groups locally.
3. Supporting small ‘grass roots’ community
groups and organisations to deliver such
activities.
4. Providing opportunities for people to
connect with each other, build trusted
relationships and revitalise communities.
5. Supporting recovery and creativity locally
by building on what is already there, what
was achieved through the pandemic, and
by investing in creative solutions.
The Fund will be sympathetic to applications from
groups and organisations that are specifically
seeking to support local priorities such as lack of
employment; addictions; the rising cost of food/
living; geographic and technological isolation,
or reduced access to medical services for
example.
Due to the ambition of The Fund being to support
local community activity, it is anticipated that
the majority of applications will be considered
under funding levels 1 and 2 with a a smaller
proportion of bids up to the maximum value of
£50,000. The Fund will be open for applications
in two phases.
Phase 1
Round 2 funding levels:
1. £0 to £2000
2. £2000.01 to £10,000
3. £10,000.01 to £50,000
Phase 1 will open for applications on Tuesday
11th October 2022, and close on the following
dates:
• Funding level 1 applications will be
accepted until midnight on Friday 2nd
December 2022.
• Funding level 2 applications will be
accepted until midnight on Friday 4th
November 2022.
• Funding level 3 applications will be
accepted until midnight on Friday 18th
November 2022.
Phase 2
Phase 2 will open for applications in January
2023 if money remains available after phase
1, and close to all funding levels on Tuesday
14th March 2023 (or once all funds have been
allocated, whichever is sooner).
Keep an eye on our social media
for the launch of the fund