Local projects award | News and events

Funding awarded to projects supporting health and wellbeing in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston

12 community projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of local people will each receive a share of £119,860, thanks to a grant scheme funded by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and the Assura Community Fund.

Projects include providing skills and career mentoring for young people in Ely; supporting older people living in rural areas to remain independent and connected; and increasing fitness in young girls through the expansion of a cricket club in Peterborough. for longer, safe, independent and connected, and a hub for families who have experienced trauma and financial difficulties in Huntingdon and St Neots.

Andréa Grosbois, Assistant Director of Community & Strategic Partnerships at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, said: “We’re delighted to support these community initiatives as they work to make a positive difference in the health and wellbeing of local people.

“These projects are run by people who know their local communities inside out and are passionate about making positive change.  We’re pleased to award these grants to help them continue supporting their communities.”

Karen Nolan, Head of Social Impact at Assura plc, said: “Assura is proud to work in close partnership with the ICBs and the VCSE sector to support initiative that make a real, tangible impact to their local communities. We were incredibly impressed by the quality of the bids submitted and look forward to seeing these projects come to life.”

Sandie Smith, Programme Director at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Voluntary Sector Network, which coordinated the grant programme, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to fund another round of small grants, with thanks to Assura plc and NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. We received some fantastic applications and clearly these projects will make a big difference to local people, particularly those struggling with life challenges.”

The Assura Community Fund was established by healthcare property investor and developer, Assura plc in 2020. To date, it has distributed more than £2m to health-improving projects. The fund is managed by Cheshire Community Foundation, to ensure the grants reach local communities.

Projects funded:

• Cogwheel Counselling - Partnership project supporting the mental health of men mostly aged between 35 and 55 living in social housing in some villages around Cambridge
• Jimmy's Cambridge - Extending support and contact for service users who have moved on to independent living in North West Cambridge
• Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre - Extension of the young people’s peer support group for survivors of abuse into more areas of South Cambridgeshire
• Outside the Box - Support for children, young people and their families in Royston, experiencing difficulties accessing services and in particular education, complicated by living on a county boundary
• Cambridge Housing Society – One-to-one mentoring for young people, focussing on skills development and career guidance in Ely
• Maddie’s Miracles - Antenatal education and community support filling a gap in local services to support mothers during pregnancy, reducing isolated and improving their connections to healthcare services and community networks in the Fenlands
• Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre (CWRC) - Expansion of services at CWRC Peterborough Centre to include women in the community who are facing health and social inequalities
• Peterborough Town Cricket Club - ClubBuzz – Girls’ cricket club in Peterborough, supporting the growth strategy for girls’ cricket, for girls from aged 7 - 13
• Good Neighbours Rural Peterborough - Support for people over 65 in the rural areas of Peterborough to help them to stay stronger for longer, safe, independent and connected to their community
• Bengali Sanskriti Club Peterborough - Providing a range of activities to involve people in 'Alpona'; a traditional floor art of East India known for developing mindfulness, concentration and focus. mental health in central Peterborough
• Gladca - Health awareness sessions cover topics like obesity, cardiovascular health, diabetes, autism/SEND, and nutrition, supported by health professionals. Activities include monthly health walks, weekly yoga, and a weekly drop-in for one-on-one advice in central Peterborough
• Acorn Project - Support hub in Huntingdon/St Neots area for families who have experienced trauma and financial disadvantage, with a drop-in where they can access support easily and quickly