Up to £11,000 in Funding Available to Community Groups

Community groups in Tameside are being encouraged to apply for up to £11,000 of funding to support the mental wellbeing of families with babies and young children, and relationship building between parents and babies.

The Best Start for Life Community Fund, provided by Tameside Council and supported by Action Together, has already brought much-welcomed opportunities for parents and caregivers to access support over the last two years, and the latest round of funding aims to empower voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCFSE) and groups to grow their mental health support and services through a range of initiatives.

VCFSEs that are helping to promote and develop relationships and wellbeing during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life could be eligible for a financial boost.

Previous recipients of funding include nature-based, community-group LEAP, who offer outdoor sessions for parents, their babies, and toddlers to promote the emotional wellbeing of children, contributing to improved school readiness.

For Tameside parents who have gone through the most difficult circumstances through baby loss, the funding has helped Finding Rainbows to give invaluable peer support and counselling.

One parent spoke of how invaluable the care and support she received from Finding Rainbows has been to her: “I don’t know where I would be or what I would have done without the guidance and support from Lisa, Natalie, and all at Finding Rainbows. From losing our precious baby, Lisa has been with me every step of the way, and her kindness is something I will always treasure.”

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Teresa Smith, said: “The emotional and mental health support our fabulous voluntary, community and social enterprises are offering to parents, families and their little ones is immeasurable, and I am pleased that more groups can apply to the Best Start for Life Community Fund to allow them to continue offering their much-needed services.

“The grant funding can be a lifeline to VCFSE groups, and I hope many more apply so that they can continue their fantastic work.”

The deadline for applications is Friday 1 August, and details of how to apply can be found at www.actiontogether.org.uk/best-start-life-community-fund-round-5