Reducing Inequalities micro-grant launch to tackle health inequalities

People power to improve health is being given a boost thanks to small pots of cash for the community in mid and south Essex. 

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System is launching a new micro-grant programme that will support projects or initiatives that address health inequalities and the wider determinants of health within the local area. 

Funding totalling £100,000 has been made available to help improve the health and well-being of those that currently face the worst health outcomes. 

The grant amount will range between £500 – £1,500 and any small-scale voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector organisations who come together to support the health and wellbeing of their community can apply.  

Applications for the micro-grant programme opened on 31st October and will be offered on a rolling basis until 31st March 2023 or until all funds are spent. All grant spend must take place between November 2022 and November 2023. 

Alternatively you can email [email protected] to request a paper application form. 

Health inequalities refer to the differences and outcomes that people receive and the opportunities that they have to lead healthy lives. 

Micro-grants could therefore be focused on reducing differences in: 

• Access to care, for example, availability of given services 
• Quality and experience of care, for example, levels of patient satisfaction 
• Behavioural risks to health, for example, smoking rates 
• Wider determinants of health, for example, quality of housing, employment, environment, training, and education 
• Groups that may experience poorer health outcomes due to socio-economic factors such as geography, specific characteristics such as sex, ethnicity, and disability, and socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness. 

“We want to work closely with partners in the community and residents to make sure we are bridging gaps that cause health inequalities.

We want to make sure the organisations that access the grants get the support they need and begin to make a difference in the lives of many of our residents who are currently facing health inequalities.

This micro-grant program gives us the exciting opportunity to work jointly and do things differently, giving us the best chance going forward to improve the health and well-being of residents and future generations.”

Dr. Sophia Morris System clinical lead for inequalities at Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System

“We were delighted to be able to apply to administer the funding on behalf of the Mid and South Essex CVS network. Working collaboratively in this way demonstrates how far we can reach into the most deprived and seldom-heard micro-organizations.  This funding will enable our voluntary sector to make a difference at grassroots at a local place in their local communities.”

Tracy Rudling, CEO at Community 360

The micro-grants programme forms part of the work that the NHS and wider health and care partners are doing to drive change to reduce inequality for our communities in mid and south Essex.  A new inequalities campaign called ‘Narrowing the Gap’ highlights what Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System partners are doing to address these issues. 

The week-long campaign, from 28 November to 3 December will feature blogs from health and care experts, including a podcast from Dr. Bola Owolabi, National Director for Health Inequalities, as well as information and stories about local projects, people, and communities. 

For more information and details on how to get involved and make a difference follow #NarrowingTheGapMSE on social media.