Health Stars’ Community Grant Scheme Hits Halfway Point with £100,000 Awarded to Local Causes

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and its charity, Health Stars, have reached the important halfway milestone of their Community Grant Scheme.

So far, the scheme has supported over 20 charitable organisations across Hull and East Yorkshire, awarding more than £100,000 of the available £200,000 to groups working to improve adult mental health and wellbeing in local communities.

One organisation to have received a grant is Welcome House in Hull, which provides moral and practical support to asylum seekers and refugees, empowering them to rebuild their lives through a range of activities that helps them integrate and feel connected to their local communities.

They applied for funding to support a 12-week project designed to improve participants’ mental and physical health through a new walking social group. 

Tracey Scott-Townsend, from Welcome House said: “The people we support experience a variety of wellbeing issues and are often vulnerable in the wider community. They may experience language barriers, low confidence and lack of understanding of how things work, along with insecurity and sometimes fear of the outside.

“Thanks to the support of Health Stars, our service users now have the chance to connect with people from a range of communities. By sharing cultures, exploring local heritage and the environment, and coming together around food, participants can enhance their health and wellbeing while strengthening their links with the wider community.

Anita Green, Health Stars Charity Manager said: “We are delighted to see the impact our Grant Scheme is making to local communities. The feedback we’ve received from Welcome House shows how something as simple as going for a walk connects people from all nations and builds their sense of purpose.”

Applications to the Community Grant Scheme are currently closed as the Health Stars team works through the 50 applications they have received. If there is an opportunity to reopen the scheme this will be announced on the charity’s social media channels.