More options for local groups to get active in Westminster

Voluntary organisations can receive up to £40,000 to help residents stay healthy thanks to a new Healthy Communities fund.

Voluntary sector organisations can apply for funding between £20-£40k per year to run free community-led activities designed especially for diverse groups to enable them to live a healthier lifestyle. Initiatives include cultural dancing sessions, group sports and fitness classes, mindfulness and wellbeing cooking classes or support managing a long-term condition.

Westminster City Council’s public health team have found that the borough has some of the highest health inequalities in country. However, in line with the council’s fairer Westminster commitment, the £5m fund enables voluntary organisations to apply for funding to deliver interventions with a health focus. The deadline to apply for funding is 6^th November and groups can apply for funding up to 3 years with activities for residents beginning from January.

More information on how to apply for funding can be found on the council’s website.

Cllr Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Voluntary Sector said:

This funding gives local charities and community groups a great opportunity to develop healthy activities for our residents.

We know our local voluntary and community sector already does so much to bring people together and reduce loneliness and isolation and this funding will help organisations build on this work to deliver public health outcomes.”