More money for projects to prevent suicide and self-harm in Cornwall
Community groups, charities and organisations are being invited to apply for up to £25,000
Last updated 4th Jan 2022
Voluntary and community groups in Cornwall are being offered funding to create innovative 12-month projects designed to prevent suicide and reduce self-harm.
The money is being made available through Cornwall Council and the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) following the success of a similar scheme last year.
Any formally constituted community group, charity or organisation can apply for a sum of up to £25,000. Those who applied last year are welcome to submit another application.
Previous successful projects include the Chaos Group’s ‘Men Outside’ project, aimed at helping men experiencing isolation and loneliness by allowing them to get together and share hobbies and skills.
Another is Fairwinds’ ‘SeaFit Fishermen’s Project’, which looks to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing in Cornish fishing communities.
Paula Chappell, Public Health Practitioner and suicide prevention lead in Cornwall’s Public Health team, said: "Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has a higher-than-average self-harm and suicide rates so community projects to help people struggling with their mental health are hugely important.
"Every life lost to suicide has devastating consequences for families, friends and communities so I would urge any voluntary or community group with an innovative idea about how they can help to apply for this funding.
"We know that in the right hands, a little can go a long way. We want your ideas about how to save lives across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly".
Tim Francis, Cornwall’s Associate Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Strategic Commissioning, said: "We are committed to supporting people to manage their mental health, particularly at this time of year which can be challenging for some people.
"The NHS, Cornwall Council and voluntary sector are working in partnership to support our community’s most vulnerable people to avoid reaching a mental health crisis and we have created this innovative fund to help bring people's ideas to life.
"We particularly want to hear from anyone with first-hand experience of suicide who has a dynamic idea about what support would have helped them or their loved ones.
"We know there are lots of people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who have loads of really innovative ideas but don’t either know how to make them a reality, or have the money and support to do so. We hope our funding will help them to help other people".
Councillor Dr Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, added: "Here in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly we are working towards real change in how we support people having suicidal thoughts, as well as those who have been bereaved by suicide.
"This funding, made available through the Council and local NHS, is another example of this and I would encourage any group out there with an idea for an innovative project to help prevent unnecessary deaths from suicide to apply".
How can I access support?
Groups can apply by visiting Cornwall Council's dedicated web page where they can see a list of previous successful projects.
The application process will be open from January 4th to February 4th, 2022. Proposals will not be accepted after this date.
If anyone has any questions around suicide prevention work more generally, they can email suicideprevention@cornwall.gov.uk at any time.
For more on the help and support available, visit the council’s ‘Feeling Suicidal?’ page.
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, call the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 24/7 NHS mental health response line on 0800 038 5300. It is free to access by anyone, any age, any time, day or night.