The Director of Public Health has  approved the grant allocation of £200,000 from the Public Health Grant to Wirral CVS (charity number 1196584) (for the period 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025) to administer grants of up to £15,000 each to support organisations in the Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector who provide programmes to improve the health and wellbeing of Wirral residents which  support delivery of Wirral Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Community, Voluntary and Faith (CVF) sector is a key partner in helping to deliver the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Having a strong a vibrant CVF sector is crucial given the lasting effects of the pandemic and the impacts the cost of living is having on the sector and the levels of demand being placed on them.

There are several examples of local CVF organisations that have grown into strong organisations with seed funding from public sector organisations. This seed funding allows organisations to draw down funding from other sources that often ask for match funding.

This funding provides an opportunity to combine Public Health Grant Funding (200K) and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Capacity Building funding- 100k) to assist local organisations in the delivery of their programmes which align with and support the Councils Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Following a workshop with the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee in January 2024, and a committee decision in March 2024 on Grant reserve use, this grant funding will focus on organisations that can evidence outcomes that are most important to implementing the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy priorities and associated ‘game-changers’. 

Various options were explored including different financial models for investment and the option of not providing any additional investment. These options, although considered, are not recommended as this would risk delivery of local strategic priorities.

The decision has been taken under Part 3 Section C - Overview and Scheme of Delegations of Authority to Officers as the decision is not reserved to a Committee or Sub-Committee and the Director is satisfied that paragraphs 2(a) to 2(c) apply.

Background Papers

Wirral CVF Coming Together Plan: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fhealthwatchwirral.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F05%2FCVF-Coming-Together-Plan-V3.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

Wirral Health and Wellbeing Strategy

209_healthandwellbeingstrategy_v9.pdf (wirralintelligenceservice.org)