Regional Integration Fund

                                 

Overview

Preparation for the Fund began in September/October 2022.

The fund criteria for the grant scheme was based around “Right Care, Right Place, First Time – 6 Goals for Urgent and Emergency Care” Policy Handbook:

• Promotion and support of physical and mental health for older people in Conwy and Denbighshire
• Preventing admission or re-admission to hospital and keeping people well in their own homes and communities
• Strengthening signposting and referrals to the right services and activities
• Providing clinical alternative, such as wellbeing activities, reducing social isolation, promoting physical activity, and improving quality of life
• Promoting Equality of Access, including support and signposting for populations at greater risk

The grant scheme process for both counties was developed and administered by CVSC.

The fund was launched across Conwy and Denbighshire on 21^st November 2022 with an initial closing date of 31^st December 2022.

Eligible groups were encouraged to talk through the project with a member of the CVSC team prior to completing the application. 27 out of the 38 applicants spoke to a CVSC team member prior to applying.

The panel meeting took place on 24^th January 2023. Panel were engaged with further decision making through email exchanges for the Conwy County underspend.

CVSC relaunched the Conwy County RIF small grants fund in January to encourage more groups to apply before the March deadline.

Key statistics

• Advertised to 100s of organisations through email, websites, e-bulletins and social media
• Interactions with 50 organisations
• Applications received from 38 organisations
• Funding awarded to 35 organisations
• 1 application withdrawn prior to going to panel due to receiving alternative funding
• 2 applications were not completed in time for the final deadline, but have been given information about alternate potential funders and invited to a funding surgery
• 4 Welsh language applications received
• 5 rural projects in Conwy county funded, plus an additional 2 projects partly based in rural communities
• 2 Denbighshire projects based in rural communities
• 2000+ direct beneficiaries, and tens of 1000s of indirect beneficiaries

The Projects

A wide range of projects were funded through the RIF small grants scheme, across both counties and in both rural and urban areas.

Whilst all the projects were aimed at promoting wellbeing and mental and physical health for older people in the community, there was a wide range of projects applying to the grant scheme, including:

• Development and ongoing offer of Men’s Sheds and She Sheds
• Art and/or craft for wellbeing activities
• Food banks
• Outdoor activities, such as wellbeing walks
• Support for veterans
• Befriending services
• Welfare benefits services
• Social activities, such as friendship clubs
• Singing for wellbeing
• Counselling services

The Panel

The panel was made up of a representative from CVSC and DVSC Board of trustees, the Health and Social Care lead for CVSC and DVSC and an independent panel member with knowledge of the sector and the areas.

Conclusion

The RIF small grants scheme has been successful, despite launching at a difficult time of the year.

It has clearly demonstrated the need for a small grants scheme aimed at wellbeing for older people and has attracted a wide variety of different groups and organisations leading to a wide range of activities funded.

Members of staff and board members at CVSC and DVSC have established stronger partnership links through working together on this grants scheme, paving the way for greater collaboration.

Third sector groups have welcomed the scheme as it is an opportunity to fund areas which are not covered by other funding schemes administered by CVSC and DVSC. There has been a good response from rural communities