Open Mental Health 2023 Grants on Improving the Mental Health

Open Mental Health grants are available for projects that focus on improving the mental health and wellbeing of people living in Somerset. We are looking to expand the provision of support in Somerset by inviting local organisations to apply for grants up to £10,000.

Projects could include:
Generic support/activities, not fundable
This might include: social prescribing, signposting, general activities such as football, rugby, river walks and/or art groups. Although these types of activities keep us healthy, in order to receive funding there needs to be a strong and clear link to mental health.

Preventative support, funding considered
This might include: gardening for wellbeing, befriending, social groups with a focus on mental health and reducing isolation, theatre classes exploring trauma, wellbeing-specific activities. We recognise the need to invest in mental health prevention and early intervention; groups/activities like this can be a lifeline for many people and funding will be considered.

Moderate-severe mental health, target funding
This might include: suicide prevention support, hearing voices groups, counselling, employment and activities that support people with enduring mental health needs. Projects targeted at this group will be prioritised if they fit the criteria as the focus for Open Mental Health is clients with serious mental illness.

You can apply for a grant to cover capital and revenue costs, but we will only fund costs which are involved in the direct delivery of a project or activity.

• Table of Content
• About Open Mental Health
• Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health
• Aim and Benefits of Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health
• Requirements for Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Open Mental Health

We are Open Mental Health We are an alliance of mental health organisations who have come together to provide 24/7 support to adults in Somerset.  Our shared ambition is to ensure that people living with mental health problems get the right support at the right time. Working together, we support people to live a full life, by enabling access to specialist mental health services, housing support, debt and employment advice, volunteering opportunities, peer support, community activities and physical exercise, to help support and improve their wellbeing and quality of life. We ... continue reading

Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health

Aim and Benefits of Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health

You can apply for grants between £5,000 to £10,000 for projects completed by 31st March 2024.

Requirements for Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health Qualification

• The Primary bidder must be a voluntary sector organisation (such as a charity, CIC, unincorporated group, or social enterprise).
• Your project must be based in Somerset. The areas covered are: Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset and Somerset West and Taunton. Unfortunately, projects based predominantly in BANES or North Somerset are not eligible.
• It should be aimed at adults over the age of 18 years.
• You must ensure that co-production is central to project design and delivery.
• Demonstrate how your project supports any of the key priorities*.
• The project must start within 2 months of receiving funding and delivery completed by March 2024. They would anticipate a progress review between September 2023 and January 2024.
• You shall, on request, provide us with information, explanations and documents as they may reasonably require in order to establish that the Grant has been used only for the purpose specified.
• The funded project will outline an exit strategy for transitioning after the funding ends in March 2024.
• Your project should demonstrate how it links with the wider mental health provisions across the area you plan to work in.
• Your project should demonstrate how you’ve gained input from those people who are likely to benefit from your project and how they’ve helped to shape the activity you are planning.
• Your project should explain how people will be referred or signposted towards your project.
• Demonstrate that sufficient insurance is in place.
• It is essential to demonstrate that appropriate safeguarding policies are in place.
• They will not consider reapplications for large grants above £10,000.
• They highly encourage applications from under-represented groups.
• Adults who experience poor mental health and well-being and/or mental health conditions.
• Vulnerable adults or elderly, including risk of isolation/loneliness.
• People with co-existing substance use.
• People with co-existing neurodevelopmental disorders.
• People who self-harm.
• People experiencing trauma personality disorder and related needs.
• People with eating disorders.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Open Mental Health Grants on Improving the Mental Health

Who can apply?

The Primary bidder must be a voluntary sector organisation (such as a charity, CIC, unincorporated group, or social enterprise).

We cannot accept applications from

Individuals, sole traders, organisations based outside of Somerset, one organisation on behalf of another.

What we will fund

We want to fund projects that demonstrate they can have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people in Somerset, and meet the below ambitions of the Open Mental Health Alliance:

• Develop and expand mental health provision in Somerset
• Demonstrate a positive impact on mental wellbeing
• Encourage partnership and collaborative working

Learn more by clicking on the + toggle below.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

If your organisation would like to apply for a grant offline please download an application pack here (.docx opens in a new window) complete it and email to: [email protected]

If your organisation would like to apply for a grant online please click on the blue button below and complete the form online (opens in a new window)

Apply for a grant online here

You will be required to provide a copy of your organisation’s safeguarding policies, your most recent set of accounts and your organisation’s constitution or governing document (If appropriate). All documents are to be emailed to [email protected] at the time of submitting your application.

For more details visit: Open Mental Health website.