County Durham Comm-unity Foundation has recently launched a £200,000 Priority Health Fund set up to benefit local groups who address three key health issues within County Durham and Darlington.

Projects that focus on the three priority issues identified by the Health and Wellbeing Partnerships: mental health resilience/wellbeing, obesity in children and alcohol awareness can benefit from the Priority Health Fund.

Organisations that will be considered for a grant include front-line organisations that tackle depression, stress-related problems and prevention of suicide, as well as projects that support and work with families, provide after school education, and cookery and healthy eating clubs. Projects focusing on alcohol awareness, especially with teenagers, will also be considered for a grant.

Barbara Gubbins, the Community Foundation’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to access a considerable amount of money to help tackle what are some significant issues in the local area.

Groups based in County Durham and Darlington who aim to address these issues can apply. We are keen to distribute the money to worthy causes and see how the Fund helps these groups to achieve their aims.”

A maximum of £10,000 is available for projects lasting up to 12 months and groups that currently hold a grant from the Community Foundation, have applied for one and/or are awaiting a decision, are not excluded from applying.

The deadline for submission of applications from groups is Friday 26th April at 12pm.

In order to apply groups must check the Fund Criteria and Guidance Notes and, if eligible, complete the Priority Health Fund application form which is available by post, email, or through the Foundation’s website www.cdcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/grants-for-groups