Healthy Minds

Overview

Projects must meet at least one or more of these priorities:

• supporting activities that promote mental health and well-being
• supporting projects from organisations that work directly with people with mental health and
  well-being issues
• raising awareness of mental health and well-being issues

They want to fund projects under four main themes:

• Older people and isolation
• Adult mental health
• Alcohol and its effect on families
• Life changes and transitions

The outcome of the programme is to have improved mental health and well-being for people involved in funded projects.

If you are a local organisation and your project meets the programme outcome and at least one priority and one theme of the Healthy Minds NI programme, then you can apply for between £500 and £10,000 for your project and there is a budget of £500,000 overall. If demand is high, preference will be given to projects that meet more than one priority.

Healthy Minds NI is a partner in BBC Headroom NI Campaign

You can apply to our Healthy Minds NI programme if you are:

• a voluntary and community organisation, or
• a statutory organisation.

Types of Projects funded

To give you an idea of the types of projects they could fund under this programme, some examples have been provided as a guide.

• Encouraging activities to reduce isolation and promote healthier lives and good mental health, for example, activity classes for older people.
• Prevention strategies, for example, projects that help people to improve their self esteem, build confidence and learn coping strategies.
• Alternative therapies for people with stress or addictions, for example, projects that help people express their emotions or projects that give people something else to think about and do while they are tackling addictions.
• Projects that help people understand the impact life changing events have on an individual's mental health, for example, bereavement, leaving care, divorce etc.

How to Apply

• You can apply for funding from £500 to £10,000 for a project.
• You can only hold one award at any one time.
• You can reapply for funding if we have received and approved your completed end of award report (together with any other monitoring requirements).
• You can reapply for funding for your project but the total amount of funding awarded to your organisation in any 12 month period cannot be more than £10,000. Remember you cannot apply for less than £500.
• You can apply for a maximum of £10,000, however, please note Big Lottery Fund must fund a minimum of 55 per cent of your total project costs.
• Your organisation can apply for and hold other grants from the Big Lottery Fund as well as an award from Healthy Minds NI.

If you think you are eligible to apply, look at their apply page and download the guidance notes and application form.