More than £700,000 in grants awarded to community organisations across Hampshire to support vulnerable people to maintain their independence

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health has approved grants to a number of community and voluntary organisations to support their work helping those most at risk of poor health to keep them well and to avoid or delay the need for social care services.

• £240,000 to MHA who provide a range of services to enable older people to live a fulfilled later life through community clubs. The grant will support the creation of new clubs and the introduction of home visits for severely isolated individuals
• £145,000 to Good Neighbours whose networks offer a helping hand to others in their local community. The grant will be used to promote, support and develop additional neighbourhood groups
• £49,894 to Autism Hampshire, continuing to fund services to support people with autism before, during and post diagnosis with advice, guidance and support
• £40,000 to Age Concern Hampshire to support local volunteers in rural settings to provide information and advice for vulnerable adults in their communities, with a particular focus on supporting people at risk of social isolation and loneliness.

• £6,250 to The Forest Forge Theatre in the New Forest who support a theatre group for older people, helping to break down social isolation and loneliness, and build confidence
• £10,000 to The Vine Centre’s Shoulder to Shoulder project in Rushmoor, providing a trained support worker across the three most deprived wards in Rushmoor to offer home support on a range of topics and practical help with small tasks
• £10,000 to One Community’s Back to the Future project in Fareham, working with older people and those with dementia to share past experiences, build networks and break down social isolation.