£1,000 grants to keep South Staffordshire pensioners active

Local authority launches new funding to keep residents aged 65+ active and independent for longer in later life 

Community groups across South Staffordshire can now apply for funding of up to £1,000 for projects that support those aged 65-plus stay well, connected and active. 

Photo by sk / Unsplash

Organisations and groups of all sizes are encouraged to apply for the new scheme. To be eligible, their projects need to: 

• Create and promote opportunities to improve strength and balance 

• Create access to opportunities to intervene at an early stage where frailty can be identified and possibly prevented or onset delayed 

• Focus on increased accessibility to services, reduced isolation, and greater capacity for local engagement within older populations 

The latter could include exercise programmes, sports clubs or community groups, but the scheme is open to other ideas that encourage people to remain engaged and confident in their daily lives. 

Whatever the case, all such projects should aim to make services easier to reach, reduce isolation and build up opportunities for people to get involved with their community. 

In this way the NHS local improvement framework funding, which is facilitated by the local council in South Staffordshire, is intended to prevent falls and frailty as residents age, ensuring support is available early on, before physical issues and isolation become harder to manage.  

Each project can apply to the scheme once per year. The maximum funding available for each project is £1,000.  

To apply, see ‘Funding to address risks of falls and frailty in later life’ on the Community funding page of the South Staffordshire Council website. 

Cllr Kath Perry MBE, Leader of South Staffordshire Council, says: ‘In South Staffordshire, we have an ageing population who often live in rural locations. It is so important to us that our residents are supported and given every opportunity to socialise, stay active, and live independently and healthily for as long as possible. 

‘I would urge any groups who might be interested in the funding to get in touch. This is an excellent opportunity to help those in our communities who most need it.’ 

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