Mental Health Response Fund
Due to the high number of applications the Fund’s Governance Group has taken the decision to pause the Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund (CMHRF) to new applications from 5pm on Wednesday 13th May.
Applications received after this date will not be considered. Any applications already received, or received before this date, will be assessed at the next two Investment Panels in the coming weeks.
Voluntary and community sector (VCS) mental health organisations have a vital role working in the community providing support to anyone who has a mental health need.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, demand for mental health services is increasing.
To help VCS organisations based in England continue to provide mental health services – or provide additional support – organisations can apply for a Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund (CMHRF) grant.
Thanks to £5m support from government (the Department of Health and Social Care), grants of £20,000 or £50,000 are available for projects lasting up to 12 months.
Support for smaller organisations or groups
As part of this funding programme, the National Survivor User Network (NSUN) will be administering a fund to support user-led organisations and smaller, unconstituted community organisations, who might not otherwise be eligible for a grant. Details will be available from Monday 20 April on the NSUN website.
Further information
For more information about the grant programme or the application process, please email the Mind Network Investment team.
Commenting on the new Fund, Kathy Roberts, CEO of Association of Mental Health Providers, said:
“VCSE mental health provider organisations have seen an unprecedented rise in the need for some services, especially telephone and online support services, as a result of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown and although services are stretched and struggling, the sector remains committed to supporting users of their services during this time.
“Across our membership, and indeed the UK, voluntary and community organisations are already taking action to the pressing needs of the communities they serve and come from. The VCSE sector has continued to demonstrate that it will do whatever it can to provide support and it is evident that organisations from the largest to the smallest are continuing to provide services as best they can and respond to the needs and operating challenges presented by the crisis.
“This is a challenging time for the whole nation and consequently, it is having a detrimental effect on our mental health and wellbeing, with those with pre-existing conditions severely affected. The VCSE mental health sector continues to face many challenges in delivering services during COVID-19 and it is vital that service providers working in the community are supported to enable them to continue delivering essential, life-saving services to vulnerable people who need it most.
“The £5m grant made available by the Department of Health and Social Care for the voluntary and community sector will provide much needed support to services and allow providers to respond to the needs of people who need it the most in these anxious and unsettling times. We look forward to working with our mental health sector partners to continue to support the VCSE sector, and most importantly, those who rely on these services in the community.”
Paul Farmer, CEO of Mind, said:
“We’re yet to fully understand the long-term impact that coronavirus will have on our mental health. But right now, many of us are struggling to cope through the lockdown period in isolation or without access those things that help them stay well. For anyone with a longstanding mental health problem this impact is unimaginable.
“We’re really pleased that Government has recognised the vital role that voluntary sector mental health organisations have in working alongside NHS colleagues in the fight against coronavirus. And we’re delighted to be working in partnership with other leading mental health organisations in England to ensure that this government money quickly reaches those organisations who urgently need it.”
On the behalf of the Mental Health Consortia, representing the leading mental health organisations in England, Mind will be administering the fund process. Mental Health Consortia members include:
- Association of Mental Health Providers
- Centre for Mental Health
- Mental Health Foundation
- Mind
- NSUN
- Rethink Mental Illness