Community money up for grabs from the Healthy Rutland Grant Scheme

Thousands of pounds is up for grabs to help encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles.

Community groups can bid for up to £1, 000 each to boost projects which promote a healthy mind and body.

The Healthy Rutland Grant Scheme has already given money to three worthy projects and is keen to attract more interest for the second weave of funding.

Rutland county councillor Alan Walters (Con) said: “I’m really pleased to see this project is being extended and that more funding is now available for local groups to help people improve their health and wellbeing.

"It’s important that we help people to stay healthy.

"Having local projects in our local communities makes access to health-related activities much easier and means everyone has the opportunity to live well.”

Previous recipients are the Junior Parkrun at Rutland Water, the food forgaging and cooking project Root and Branch Out CIC and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

Parkrun spokesman Joanne Cadman-Joyce said: “Support from the Healthy Rutland Grant Scheme will enable us to encourage young people to participate in and enjoy the parkrun, laying down foundations for a healthy lifestyle.

"The application process was relatively straightforward and I would encourage other groups to submit applications if they have ideas to improve health and wellbeing.”

The scheme was initiated by Rutland County Council, funded by Public Health Grant and the Better Care Fund; and managed by Citizens Advice Rutland.

Simon Mutsaars of Citizen Advice Rutland said: "It's really important to get communities involved in this kind of scheme.

"There's a whole range of ways this can help people with things like isolation or physical health."

Suggestions include sports activities, lunch clubs to encourage people to socialise, dementia groups, community groups and good neighbour schemes.

To apply for funding visit www.rutlandwellbeing.org.uk/news/healthy-rutland-grant-scheme or call 01572 725805.

The deadline for applications is March 29 when a panel from Public Health and Rutland County Council will decide on the winning recipients. A third wave of funding may follow.