The Director of Public Health has approved the grant allocation of £100,000 from the Public Health Grant to Wirral CVS (charity number 1196584) to administer grants up to £5000 each to support grass root and small organisations in the Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector to deliver services to support sustainable health and wellbeing improvements within communities.

The Community, Voluntary and Faith (CVF) sector are a key partner in helping to deliver on the priorities in Wirral’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Having a strong and vibrant CVF sector is crucial given the lasting effects of the pandemic and the impact that the cost of living is having, and the subsequent level of demand placed on the sector. There are several good examples of local CVF organisations who have grown into strong organisations with seed funding from public sector organisations.

This funding will provide a grants programme that will enable grass root, and small charity organisations to apply for a grant of up to £5K to support the delivery of work that will enable better health and wellbeing outcomes for Wirral residents.

Following a workshop with the Adult Social Care & Public Health Committee in January 2024, and a committee decision in March 2024 on use of the Public Health Grant reserve, this grant funding will be targeted to organisations that can evidence delivering on outcomes most relevant to the priorities within the Health and Wellbeing Strategy. 

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)