The ARN Foundation: Mental Health Theme

Overview

There are a wide variety of ways to address mental health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland. Within this fund the ARN Foundation would like to continue to support projects that particularly encourage self-help initiatives, befriending schemes, and additional counselling resources in isolated areas, where there is limited access to such services.

With grant sizes of between £10,000 and £50,000, it is the ARN Foundations expectation that organisations working to address these issues will be able to plan for, and provide services over a two year period, enabling a more long term impact.

Examples of types of projects that may be supported by the ARN Foundation :

• Suicide prevention activities and/or other preventative measures for people living in isolated and disadvantaged areas, in particular rural areas with limited access to services and facilities
• Self help Initiatives that may teach relevant skills to overcome and better self-manage symptoms and related difficulties, generally with a cognitive, behavioural or problem solving approach, for example, mindfulness, Mood Matters; enabling individuals to better cope with and manage difficulties
• General initiatives to improve access to community facilities for those with poor mental health including transport provision, if appropriate

Priorities:

• Projects that promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, and tackle the contributing factors of self-harm and suicide
• Initiatives that directly support those most at risk, in particular, rurally isolated individuals, people who suffer from drug and alcohol misuse, LGBTQ, those suffering from financial stress, the bereaved, refugees and asylum seekers
• The Fund will prioritise organisations with income levels of below £500,000 per annum

Who can apply?

• Registered charities within Northern Ireland

What kind of projects are funded?

Examples of types of projects that may be supported by The ARN Foundation:

• Education, training and leisure opportunities for people with a learning disability.
• Initiatives to improve community facilities for those with a learning disability.
• Projects promoting creativity and self-expression through drama, music or the arts for people with a learning disability