Funding available for community care groups in Perthshire

Communities in Perthshire will be able to apply for funding to help residents with health, care and support needs.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership is rolling out a scheme called Your Community, Your Budget, Your Choice, with grants available from £50 to £4,000 for projects in the Craigie area of Perth, Rattray and Crieff.

Those interested in applying will need to prove their plan will be for the benefit of adults aged over 16 who have health, care or support needs, and that it will provide the community with an alternative support mechanism.

In addition, the proposal will need to be sustainable and able to carry on without additional funding.

After all proposals have been submitted, community events will be held where those involved will take the final decision on which ideas they would like to see funded.

Councillor Dave Doogan, chairman of Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, said the aim of the scheme is to give local people more control over how budgets are spent in their communities.

“Every community has different needs, and this scheme will allow people to put forward ideas about what they think will work in their area,” he said. “Every proposal will be considered, so I would encourage everyone who has an idea to apply for a grant.

“Whether you need equipment for a walking group or room hire for a support group for older adults, we want to hear from you.”

He added: “This participatory budgeting approach has already been used successfully with local carers.

“We recently asked local carers what support services they would like to see, and then allowed them to choose which if their ideas were funded.

“This communities first scheme empowers local people to have a real influence on how their local services are delivered, while at the same time strengthening community resilience.”

Applications are available by emailing HCCInfo@pkc.gov.uk or phoning 01738 476554.