Oswestry Designs in Mind receives Shropshire Council grant

The fund, with grants of up to £4,000, is designed to aid community-based organisations such as Designs in Mind, in Oswestry, which support wellbeing and independence in the region.

The council will be looking to grant fund activity supporting residents to remain independent and physically and mentally well, with the aim to prevent avoidable admissions into hospital or from reaching a crisis.

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Funding will be available for activity to be delivered between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025.

It is aimed at voluntary organisations and community groups working in Shropshire, and for those wishing to start up new initiatives.

A customer attending Designs in Mind new referral group said: “I feel part of something genuine, I feel heard, and my opinions are valued.

“I wouldn’t be here if Designs wasn’t here.” 

All applicants will need to demonstrate how their proposed activity supports The Shropshire Plan .

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet Member for adult social care and public health said:

“Following the success of this years’ grant we want to give community and voluntary organisations the heads up that another round of funding will be available in the New Year.

“This year 18 organisations were awarded grants, totalling over £40,000. Community led activity of this nature is essential in helping us to tackle inequalities, such as those influenced by the rural nature of our county, rising hardship associated with the cost of living and our aging population.

“Those community and voluntary organisations have been delivering some amazing activities and support across Shropshire which are having a positive impact in our local communities.

“ It’s been very inspiring and encouraging to see how their projects have been supporting residents to keep physically and mentally well and helping to reduce the pressures on our health and social care system.”

Due to the high level of applications that are received for the preventative grant programme, the council also strongly advises groups and organisations to firstly consider if the activity to be delivered is suitable to be funded through alternative grant programmes that are available.

Eighteen organisations were awarded grants in 2023, totalling over £40,000.

Organisations host activities that would: help people avoid hospital admission, support those discharged from hospital to regain their independence, help people with cost of living pressures, support people’s health and mental wellbeing, and support falls prevention and reduced levels of inactivity.

Thirty-two organisations had applied for the annual grant: those who weren’t successful in funding this year were signposted to other sources of support.