Local communities in the Falkirk area are benefitting from funding available through Falkirk’s Health and Social Care Partnership. Partnership Funding is now available to groups and organisations that provide services or activities that help people remain healthy within their own community.

The Partnership has recently awarded a total of £23k to two community groups to help them in the support of the aims of the new partnership created between Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley to provide a more joined up health and social care services.

Grangemouth Community Care has received £14832 to help support elderly and frail people who are affected by long term medical conditions or social isolation. The award will be used towards the recruitment of a co-ordinator for the project that has 20 volunteers, supporting around 60 clients per week.

Support organisation Outside The Box will receive £8088 to help older people leaving hospital by providing information on housing options and making their homes safer to help prevent further admission to hospital and to help people live at home for as long as possible. They will be working across the Falkirk Council area.

Chair of the Integration Joint Board (that overseas the work of the partnership) Councillor Allyson Black said: “Partnership Funding is intended to help groups to develop local networks that will support people to maintain their own health and wellbeing, within their own community.

“We would like to award funds to groups and organisations that can help the Partnership to deliver health and social care at a local level.

“We are seeking proposals from other similar organisations and urge them to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Funding decisions are made by a Partnership Funding Group, made up from representatives from Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley and the third and independent sectors.

Funding is made in four themed areas – avoiding unplanned admission; health and wellbeing in communities; carers and; infrastructure.  A number of criteria are applied for applications to the fund.

For more information on the Fund and how to apply contact integration@falkirk.gov.uk or 01324 504034.

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