A COMMUNITY centre in Basingstoke is among the projects to benefit from a £86,000 funding boost from the Hampshire County Council (HCC).

Cllr Jan Warwick, executive member for younger adults and health and wellbeing, has awarded more than £86,000 in grants to five Hampshire voluntary groups to help each continue providing support to carers and those cared for within communities across the county. 

A total of £86,654, paid in two instalments, part of the Adults’ Health and Care ‘Local Solutions Fund’, will go to:

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  • SoCo Music Project to fund a wellbeing singing programme across various districts, strengthening the support network for unpaid carers to help them in their roles (£4,950)  
  • Princess Royal Trust for Carers to fund specialist one-to-one support across various districts, signposting, and advocating for unpaid carers in crisis in order to prevent the cared-for persons’ social care needs from escalating (£29,724)  
  •  Recapture Life to fund living skills workshops and support groups promoting cognitive function and reducing social isolation for people living with dementia and their carers (£21,000)  
  •  Happy Healthy Healing Hut to fund sessions of intensive support from qualified therapists to around 50 housebound and vulnerable adults to boost confidence and community engagement, expanding this service to Havant and East Hampshire (£16,000)  
  • Hatch Warren Community Association to fund support for unpaid carers of young adults with learning disabilities across various districts, to increase confidence, skills, access to information, as well as increased mental and physical health and wellbeing (£14,980) 

Hatch Warren Community Association is a community centre in Basingstoke.

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Cllr Warwick said: “This funding boost will help these five groups to continue their vital work to help vulnerable people and their carers across Hampshire to thrive. We recognise that carers, whether in an official capacity or unpaid, play a crucial role within our communities, and also need support to maintain their wellbeing.  

“While funding is tight, I am pleased to approve this targeted financial support to help local people to live long, healthy and happy lives.”  

The ‘Local Solutions Fund’ recognises and values community initiatives, support networks and services, helping them to continue enabling adult independence - preventing or delaying the need for formal care.  Introduced in 2019 – to date, more than £800,000 in grants have been given to voluntary organisations across Hampshire to support their work with local communities.