Sheffield’s mental health organisations set to help more people thanks to £300,000 boost

Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Primary Care Sheffield, NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group and Sheffield Mind have come together to create Primary Care Networks.

It has opened a £300,000 fund as part of the new service, which voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations can apply for, to support those struggling with serious mental health issues.

Margaret Lewis, CEO of Sheffield Mind, said: “This funding has come at a crucial time for the voluntary sector.”

In the current lockdown, many voluntary organisations have had to move their support services online, while some have been struggling to maintain operation altogether, due to lack of staff and funds.

These circumstances may have as a result, negatively impacted the mental health of some service users.

Dr Terry Hudsen, GP and chair of NHS Sheffield CCG said: “It’s clear many things help a person’s mental health besides treatment so working with the voluntary sector to provide holistic activities to support people in their community is a step in the right direction.

“The voluntary sector plays an important role in supporting people with mental health challenges in Sheffield so I'm proud that the wider health and social care system can partner with it in this way.”

Funding will be awarded to organisations offering holistic, social and lifestyle activities for those living with a serious mental illness, such as psychosis, schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar and personality disorder.

Availability of funding will differ in areas of Sheffield, and will be in accordance with local need.

A panel, including mental health experts, as well as people with lived experiences of mental health problems, will decide which organisations to award funding to.

Money could go towards assisting people with financial support, family support, education or activities that ‘will help people live as well as possible in their community’.

Interested parties are invited to submit applications individually or as part of a wider group with partners.

For more information and to apply, see: www.sheffieldccg.nhs.uk

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