New grants for innovation in mental health

The Cameron Grant Memorial Trust (CGMT) has announced a new grant giving programme, Cameron Grants for Innovation in Mental Health, to encourage individuals and organisations to find innovative ways to support people suffering with poor mental health.

Through this scheme, CGMT will offer ‘seed-funding’ by way of grants of between £100 and £2,500 to individuals or organisations who need money to trial new ways to support those in need.

The scheme is open to individuals, charities, social enterprises/CICs, schools, colleges, universities, pre-registration start-ups, voluntary groups, community groups and other not-for-profit entities based in the UK.

The grants can be used to trial a new service, create an asset, a technology, a performance, fund research, or otherwise experiment in any way that supports mental health. The emphasis will be on innovation – using new methods, channels, technology, ideas or approaches to reach out and effect change. Ideas would typically fit into one of the following categories:

• Destigmatising Mental Health
• Reducing Barriers to Mental Health Care
• Improving Mental Well Being

The grants are for project-based activities that demonstrate clear innovation. They will not be made to fund ongoing operational expenses or salaries.

As well as the funding, successful grant applicants will be offered one or two ‘coaching’ sessions with one of the CGMT  trustees by phone or video call. Between them, the trustees have a wealth of experience in business, education, the public sector and mental health services.

People who wish to begin the application process should email innovate@camgrant.org.uk with a brief outline of the idea and the budget being requested.

Evan Grant, Chair of  CGMT, said: “Now more than ever we need to find creative ways to provide better mental health support for more people, and we know there are lots of good ideas out there! Tell us about your idea so we can work together with a Cameron Grant to make it happen.”

Alan Flack, a trustee of the charity and one of the grant programme administrators, added: “We are convinced that there is plenty of scope for innovation in the provision of mental health support and hope that our grants will encourage people to come forward and trial new and exciting ways to help those suffering.”