Western Power Distribution has pledged to support its most vulnerable customers with grants from the Community Matters Fund ahead of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
The upcoming awareness week, taking place between 9th and 15th May, aims to tackle loneliness, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, which has left many people from all walks of life reporting feelings of isolation.
To provide much-needed support for the local organisations tackling these vital issues, Western Power Distribution (WPD) is calling on charities and community groups in the region to apply for grants of up to £10,000, with £500,000 being earmarked for good causes to support mental wellbeing.
This is the latest round of grants from WPD’s annual £1 million Community Matters Fund, which has already seen the electricity distributor support more than 100 grassroots organisations with crucial fuel poverty grants, including more than 15 good causes in the South West.
Alison Sleightholm, WPD’s Resources & External Affairs Director, said: “Covid-19 has had a significant impact on people’s mental health over the past two years, and lockdowns and social distancing measures have undoubtedly led to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
“We are committed to taking the lead on this emerging issue, helping provide crucial interventions and preventing further increases in mental health issues.
“WPD is looking to support and partner with community groups and organisations in Somerset to achieve positive change.
“With loneliness and tackling social exclusion as the core topic, we open the doors to funding applications from all generational and diverse community groups and organisations.”
The application window for funding is open until Sunday 24th April.
To help guide applications, examples of the types of project the fund will consider supporting are:
- Digital skills and inclusion projects
- Social inclusion and connectedness projects
- Mental health interventions
- Employability skills
- Projects increasing community access to outside space
- Inter-generational support projects
- Befriending services
- Innovative solutions to combating loneliness.
For more information and to apply, visit: www.westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund.
