Mental health charity, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind has today (October 10) announced that it will be offering additional grants of up to £10,000 to support community mental health projects in Cambridgeshire.

The new grant called ‘Good Life Fund Plus’ is an exciting development and will run alongside the existing Good Life Fund, which has been running since January 2021. This new fund is funded within the existing Good Life Service, commissioned by Cambridgeshire County Council.

The announcement comes on World Mental Health Day 2024, which is celebrated every year on October 10 and this year’s theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities. 

CPSL Mind’s Good Life Fund was developed with stakeholders, including those with lived experience of mental health, and grants are distributed to local groups for activities that support the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.

Small grants can be a catalyst for encouraging people to take the first steps to become engaged in their communities, inspiring them to develop their ideas for groups and activities.

The original Good Life Fund offers grants of up to £1,500 and will continue to support projects across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.

The Good Life Fund Plus is aimed at applicants who may have had funds awarded by the Good Life Fund and are looking to expand or develop their group or project. Community based groups can apply even if they have not received funds before. 

Since April 2023, The Good Life Fund has provided grant funding for 28 community groups. One of those projects is The Armour Project, a self-harm support project for young people aged 16-25, in and around the town of St Neots in Cambridgeshire.

The initiative is run by Pennyroyal Tattoo Studio who began the project after seeing people who were getting tattooed or pierced with self-harm scars.

Henna, aged 18, attends the sessions and says they have really helped her. Reflecting on her experience, Henna said, “Just having someone to sit with me when my urges were bad, or after it happened, and letting me talk if I wanted to and without pressuring me was the most helpful thing I experienced.”

Abby Glonek, Good Life Fund co-ordinator, said: “It is an exciting time for the Good Life Fund project, with the launch of The Good Life Fund Plus that will support projects across Cambridgeshire.

"I encourage people to apply to the Good Life Fund to begin your project journey with us. If you would like any support with your application, or have a question about either fund options, do please get in touch with the team and we will be very happy to support you with your application.”

On World Mental Health Day, CPSL Mind is also supporting local businesses and organisations by delivering a dedicated online training webinar and will be sharing details of its community ‘Good Mood Cafes’ on social media – the cafes are run on a ‘drop-in’ basis and provide an opportunity to meet new people to share interests, skills and wellbeing tips in an informal space to help boost your mood.

CPSL Mind is encouraging people to find their local session and to share details about the Good Mood Cafes with colleagues and friends on World Mental Health Day, using the hashtag #cupofhappiness. The full list of sessions can be found on the website: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/how-we-help/good-life-service/good-mood-cafes/

Ashley Bunn, CEO at CPSL Mind said, “During 2023-24, we helped and supported more than 6,000 people – mental health affects people every single day of the year. It is vitally important that we raise the profile of mental health throughout the year to ensure our diverse communities can access the support they need.

Ashley Bunn continues, “Today, on World Mental Health Day, CPSL Mind stands united with mental health organisations and charities and all those experiencing mental health challenges. I encourage people to visit the CPSL Mind website today, and in the future, to seek the support and information they need.”

Anyone interested in either Good Life Fund or Good Life Fund Plus can contact goodlifefund@cpslmind.org.uk to contact Abby Glonek Good Life Fund Coordinator.

To find out more about The Good Life Fund, visit: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/how-we-help/good-life-service/good-life-fund/

To find out more about CPSL Mind’s services and how the charity can support you, visit: http://www.cpslmind.org.uk