Announcing the launch of the LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Fund

October 9, 2020 at 4:26 pm

Content note; this piece contains discussions of LGBTQ+ and mental health issues.

The Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group is excited to launch a micro-grants fund for projects that will raise awareness or shine a light on mental wellbeing in the LGBTQ+ community. The fund is being launched with support from the LGBTQ+ Voice & Influence Partnership.

Funded projects will result in people being more informed and aware of what good mental wellbeing or mental health looks like for people who identify as LGBTQ+.

There are four one-off funding grants of up to £250 available. This is a total funding pot of £1000 available.

Ideally, projects will engage a range of people, including;

  • trans people
  • older people who identify as LGBTQ+
  • those who identify as non-binary
  • members of BAME communities who identify as LGBTQ+

 

Sam, on behalf of the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Steering Group, said:

“We are excited this launch this fund as one of the first projects of the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group. The fund will support people and groups with ideas of how to raise awareness of mental wellbeing in our community, and we can’t wait to help bring those ideas to life.”

 

Henry Poultney, Team Manager of LGBTQ+ Youth Work and Development at Off the Record (Bristol), said:

“Members of the LGBTQ+ Voice & Influence Partnership are joining forces with the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group to deliver funding to individuals and organisations in our local area. We believe that this funding programme will help raise awareness of what positive mental health and wellbeing looks like in the LGBTQ+ community; providing opportunities for new and existing groups to lead the way in making change and creating safe spaces.”

 

Tom Renhard, CEO of the Independent Mental Health Network, said:

“We know that in the right hands, a little can go a long way – this fund will help bring projects to life. Our network is dedicated to challenging mental health stigma, and this is a great opportunity for people who need support to get their project going.”

 

Anyone from either the Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire area who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community can apply for a grant. Organisations can also apply. Organisations do not need to be legally constituted but do require a governing document.

Click here to download an application form. The form will download to your computer in a Microsoft Word document format. If you need an alternative format, or a paper copy of the form, please get in touch.

Any questions about the fund, the Steering Group, or the application form, should be directed to . Applications for this round of funding must be submitted by Monday 26 October 2020 at 09:00.

 

– ENDS –

Notes to editors

Press contact/enquiries: press[@]imhn.org (take care to remove the square brackets from this email address)

What is the LGBTQ+ Mental Health Lived Experience Steering Group?

This group is a working group in which members can discuss issues, challenges and opportunities particular to the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. But we don’t just want to talk about these things; we want to help change and develop them. As a team, we’ll be creating and working on projects with the aim to drive positive change for our community within the services.

Why is the group operating in the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire areas?

The health systems of these areas have becoming increasingly unified over recent years. Many mental health services are provided across these three areas collectively. Therefore, the Steering Group works to influence services and support across this combined locality.

What is the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN)?

IMHN supports and facilitates the running of the Steering Group, and is supporting the administration of this grant fund. IMHN are a member-led organisation that work for and in the interests of people with lived experience of mental health. The network supports work improving local mental health services, contribute and campaign on mental health matters happening both locally and nationally, and actively challenge mental health stigma by working with partner organisations.

What is OTR Bristol?

OTR Bristol is an organisation that provides support to young people aged between 11 and 25 in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. They support the wellbeing of young people who identify as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community via their Freedom project, and are a partner of the local Voice & Influence Partnership.Members of the OTR Bristol team support the running of the Steering Group.

Where can I get further information?

Further reading can be found below.

October 9, 2020 at 4:26 pm

Close