Local charity receives £830,000 to enhance health care in Sussex

The grant from NHS Charities Together is part of their Community Partnerships Fund which supports the wider NHS and voluntary community response to the Covid-19 pandemic, reduces pressure on the NHS and provides much-needed additional support for individuals and communities.

Heads On were selected as lead charity on behalf of all Sussex NHS Charities and will distribute and manage funding to 10 third sector partners. These partners will deliver projects in collaboration with the NHS charities to enhance healthcare across Sussex.

The 10 partners, formed of hospices, care homes and charities, were selected following an open, competitive process in which organisations submitted proposals to address the priority areas of health inequalities, suicide prevention and supported hospital discharge.  

The successful partners are: Martlets Hospice, The Trust for Developing Communities, The Crew Club, Extratime, 4Sight Vision Support, Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Albion in the Community, Citizens Advice 1066, Crawley Community Action and Amaze.

In addition, 20% of the total grants budget is dedicated to projects delivered within BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities to address existing health inequalities and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on these communities.

Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, says: 

“As the national independent charity caring for the NHS, we are delighted to support the crucial work of Heads On through our latest round of grants – made possible thanks to generous fundraising and donations from the public. These important projects will help address health inequalities for some of the communities hit hardest by Covid-19, prevent suicides, and support patients being discharged from hospital. We hope they will enhance the lives of many people living in Sussex, and look forward to seeing the positive difference they make.”

Rachael Duke, Head of Charity at Heads On, says: “We are extremely grateful to NHS Charities Together for their support and funding. It has been an incredible journey developing this programme of work, collaborating across the whole healthcare sector. We are excited to be working with such fantastic organisations and we look forward to seeing the impact of these projects as they begin delivery over the coming months.”  

The NHS Charities Together grants programme has funded over 600 projects covering the length and breadth of the UK to date. Over 400 of these have supported the mental health of NHS staff, including counselling support, helplines, and intensive psychological support for post-traumatic stress disorder. They are also funding training for thousands of emergency response volunteers to support overstretched ambulance services, tackling emerging health needs, and investing in projects that make access to healthcare more equal – as well as supporting the long-term recovery of the NHS.

Please visit the Heads On website for more information.

NHS Charities Together is the national independent charity caring for the NHS.