A lottery cash boost will help improve the health and wellbeing of some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
East Sussex County Council will share a £1.8 million pot from the Big Lottery Fund with four other authorities, after submitting a joint bid the National Lottery ‘Big well-being’ health improvement funding.
The County Council will receive £220,000 over two years to tackle poor health among vulnerable and marginalized people in Hastings and Eastbourne.
The money will help those who have low levels of physical activity, poor mental health and poor diets to be supported by their communities to make changes to their lifestyles and make best use of the facilities and support available in their communities
Helping people to get involved will be a focus of the project, with local people who want to do more in their communities, but don’t know how, to be supported to develop activities in their neighbourhoods.
Cllr Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council, said: “We are delighted to have secured funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
“As well as tackling health issues among our most vulnerable residents, the money will encourage communities to work together and support one another to lead healthy lifestyles.”
The aim of the project is to identify and highlight community centres, pubs, church halls and sports club that are available, but not widely used by marginalized groups, encourage residents who would not usually see themselves as volunteers to help their neighbours and help vulnerable people who are socially isolated or have care needs access support.
Dr Diana Grice,Director of Public Health for East Sussex County Council said: “This funding will enable us to recognise and support the skills, qualities and resources in our local communities and make the best use of these to help people improve their own and their communities’ health.”
Further information
Notes to editors
Portsmouth City Council, as an existing Big Wellbeing portfolio lead organisation, were asked to co-ordinate a bid for, focussing on vulnerable populations across the South East. East Sussex public health department was one of five public health departments invited to participate by Portsmouth. The other local authorities were Brighton & Hove, Medway, Portsmouth, Southampton, Slough.
Public Health funding already included in the East Sussex Commissioning Grants Prospectus 2013 was included in the bid as match funding in the first year.
The Big Lottery Fund, the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40 per cent of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.