£50,000 to help improve mental wellbeing
Mid Suffolk District Council has responded to a county-wide survey which identified Stowmarket and surrounding areas as an ‘emotional and physical needs hotspot’.
They have awarded £50,000 to local projects supporting residents’ wellbeing.
The survey, conducted by Suffolk Mind, was completed by more than 12,000 people in Suffolk and assessed:
- how well their emotional and physical needs were being met
- what areas could benefit from extra support
The results identified the IP14 postcode as being one of the areas where additional funding was required to help meet demand.
In response, Mid Suffolk District Council launched the IP14 Wellbeing Fund.
It has now allocated £50,000 in funding through Suffolk County Council’s Public Mental Health programme to ten local projects.
Cllr Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, said:
“It’s so important that support is given to the places that need it.
"I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work with our partners to provide funding to existing community organisations to help them continue their crucial work.”
The organisations that made successful applications include:
- Suffolk Family Carers
- Homestart Suffolk
- Karen Louise Dance CIC
- Families Together Suffolk
- SLM Community Leisure Charitable Trust
- Obee CIC
- AFC Cedars Football Club
- Forge Community Church
Between them, they offer a wide range of support. This includes:
- swim and yoga sessions for families with SEND children
- dance sessions for over 55s
- an after-school club for children who would otherwise be ‘home alone’
- sports sessions for people with disabilities or struggling with their mental health
- support for new parents
Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for public health and public protection, said:
“The Public Mental Health programme aims to support the things that keep us all mentally well in our day-to-day lives. These include activities that keep us moving and bring us together with other people from our communities.
“Suffolk County Council is pleased to be working with Mid Suffolk District Council to support local groups in Stowmarket to improve community wellbeing.”
