Feel Well funding given to Tendring groups

FUNDING to help support Tendring residents with mental health issues, loneliness, social isolation, and suicide prevention has been granted to 18 organisations.
Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST), through the Tendring Together project, has awarded grants totalling £488,181.
All successful organisations were invited to a special event to showcase their work and explain how they plan to use the funding.
iCarp, which runs an outdoor therapy programme in Great Oakley, has been awarded £9,600.
Mark Wheeler, joint chief executive officer of iCarp, said: “Previously, we’ve been working predominantly with military veterans.
“But we were approached to ask if we would be able to work with patients in the community who are very isolated and struggling with feeling lonely, which is impacting on their mental health.
“With this funding we would be able to provide a monthly trip where they would come and take part in fishing. We’ve got beehives and chickens so they can interact with the animals and spend time in nature.”
The programme hopes to increase confidence, provide a safe social space for participants, and improve self-esteem while learning new skills and spending time in nature.
Colchester and Tendring Youth Enquiry Service(YES) has been awarded £49,929.
David Sollis, chief executive officer of YES, said: “The main part of the funding is for a drop-in space, a safe space for young people in Tendring to talk about any issues they are facing.
“If they need further support or mentoring we can do that in that space.
“We are in talks with partners to find the right location for this to happen.”
Tendring Specialist Stroke Service(TSSS) has received £50,000.
Indira Allen, from TSSS, said: “This funding is for new therapy staffing positions.
“It’s a real opportunity for us to support stroke survivors regain their confidence in the community.
“After a stroke, people have lost their confidence and abilities. They want to hide and isolate themselves.”
The Feel Well funding was delivered by Tendring Together on behalf of the NHS North East Essex Alliance.
Yvette Wetton, head of infrastructure at CVST, said: “The Feel Well domain funding is a great example of the health and voluntary sector working together to support the mental health needs of the community.
“Supporting these incredible organisations and their projects means there will be more provision available to provide vital care and support to some of the most vulnerable people.
“Applicants noted an increased need for support in the Tendring area, and there were some innovative projects to offer both early intervention and therapy in Tendring.”
George Davidson, associate director for community services at Essex Partnership University Trust and Feel Well domain lead, said: “It was a great opportunity to be able to meet the organisations who have received funding through the Feel Well Domain and hear about the incredible projects they are running in Tendring. It encouraged healthy discussion and helped create that sense of people working as a team to meet the needs of the Feel Well Indicators.
“The Feel Well domain is key in providing the community with mental health support in a way they can access close to home and in an environment they feel comfortable in.
“These projects go a long way in providing vital support to the community at a time when they need it most.”
For more information about CVST or Tendring Together visit www.cvstendring.org.uk.