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Funding Joint Initiatives

WERC Joint Initiative Scheme was created to enable BME patients, service users, community groups, and the public to be in the driving seat when it comes to making improvements to their health and wellbeing. It provides financial backing, guidance and advice for people who belong to a local or regional community organisation to take action on a pressing health-related issue in their local area. The Scheme will also allow for regional research and support priorities to be addressed in collaboration with the WERC Regional Hubs.

So, if you know of a real need in your community and have a great idea then we want to hear from you!

What sort of activities are you looking for?

Just as there is no such thing as a 'typical' BME Community; WERC does not have a list of typical activities. You can be as creative and original as you like.

You might like to organise an information day, a seminar or a workshop; take a group of people on an educational outing or even produce a guidance leaflet. But don't feel limited by these suggestions. WERC are hoping people will come up with some original and creative ideas to make sure the event is a success. All we ask is that your project is designed to meet an identified need and that it helps inform us about how best to involve people in health and health related activities in the future.

Our main request will be for you to provide a short summary about the activity you plan. WERC will provide full guidance and support with this.

What are the requirements for receiving funding?

WERC can only fund health-related events and activities undertaken by members of a community group or voluntary organisation which has a health or social care/welfare remit and is based in a WERC regional area (north Wales, west Wales and south east Wales).

To be eligible for funding, the activity must meet the following criteria:

• Involve BME people at every stage
• Not be intended to make a profit
• Be undertaken as a group (individuals can submit an application on behalf of the group)
• Be based inside Wales
• Be at the planning stage i.e. you will need to apply for funding before spending or committing any money to the project.

Please be aware that not everyone will be successful, and that we can not fund the following:

• Activities planned without the involvement at every stage of BME people
• Groups and organisations based outside Wales
• Individuals
• Applications seeking funding towards a larger overall budget (unless the planned scheme forms a discrete, or 'stand-alone' part of a wider plan)
• Ongoing projects
• Retrospective grants (you must wait to hear the outcome of your application before spending, or committing, any money)
• Activities with the aim of making a profit

What information do you need for us to apply?

We need to hear about who is involved in the proposed activity and what your local area is like.

You will need to briefly explain, in writing:

• What you want to do
• Why you want to do it
• Who it will benefit and who you intend to involve
• What you expect people to get from the activity
• When you activity will start and finish
• Your costs

What happens after we have applied?

Once you have completed the application form, short-listed candidates who meet all the requirements will be asked to meet with the Research Support Service Coordinator, Olivia Ambang, and Regional Chair to discuss the activity. If you are successful, you will be expected to plan, host and manage the activity, ensuring that all health and safety issues are addressed.

How much money is available?

Over a two-year period (2007 - 2008), funds for between 4 - 6 projects up to £350 and funds for 2 - 3 projects up to £500 are available for health-related activities that focus specifically on BME patients, service users, community groups, and the public

Why was this scheme established?

Improving Health in Wales (2001) set out national commitments to involve patients and the public in service design and evaluation; to improve information for them on health issues; to give them support when difficulties arise; and to make NHS services more accountable to them.

This scheme builds on these national commitments, as well as on guides such as Signposts 1 (2001) and Signposts 2 (2003), by improving public and patient involvement (PPI), and providing a platform to ensure that the multiple voices of BME people are heard.

WEHDS knows that a community development approach is the only way to facilitate improvements to the health of BME groups.

How do I apply?

Complete this application form on-line or download and send by post to the address stated. Please get in contact with your regional WERC representative who will be able to answer your questions and offer guidance on planning your event. Make sure you have really thought your idea through. WERC needs to know that you have thoroughly considered what impact your project idea might have, both to the people you wish to involve and to their health and well being. For further information please contact Olivia Ambang.

Joint Initiative Funding Scheme 2009 - Introduction   (pdf)

About the Joint Initiative Funding Scheme 2009 (pdf)

Application Form (2009)  (Word document)

Application Form (2009)  (pdf)

Evaluation Form    (doc)

Successful Applicants

Since the Scheme was launched in June 2007, twenty community groups and voluntary organisations have been awarded grants, with some funds also secured by the WERC Regional Hubs to work collaboratively with regional community groups. You can access summary details of the successful grant holders by visiting the following links:

August 2008

October 2007

July 2007