As part of the Federal Government’s $76 million ‘Supporting the Mental Health of Australians Affected by the 2019/20 Bushfires’ package, Primary Health Networks were provided with funding to support the mental health, wellbeing, resilience and recovery of communities in impacted areas through initiatives such as community grants.

We launched the first phase of our ‘Community Wellbeing Grants’ program last year and have now provided funding to 40 individuals to conduct small grass-roots, community connection activities across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Lithgow areas.

We know the challenges many communities within our region have faced over the past 18 months and we also know that community connection and cohesion is vital for community recovery during and after times of adversity. The first phase of our Grants has focussed on small community-led initiatives that bring people together and allow them to choose their own way to respond to the loss, anxiety and distress they have experienced.  

Some of the activities we have funded through these micro-grants of up to $1,000 include local craft events, mindfulness workshops, dance lessons, picnics, live music and more. While these grants are small, they can have a big impact, giving people a reason to get-together and share their experiences.

We are still accepting applications for these micro-grants of up to $1,000 which will remain open until funding is exhausted. The second phase of our Grants program included larger grants of up to $10,000. We are currently assessing these applications and we hope to announce the outcome of these Grants in the coming months.

For more information on the up to $1,000 grants, including how to apply, visit www.nbmphn.com.au/communitygrants