Funding for community mental health projects launches

Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for the “Making Life Better” grant, a short-term funding programme that focuses on improving mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) initiative which aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities, is now open, with groups having until 3pm on Friday 31st July 2026 to submit applications.

Dr Denise O’Hagan, Assistant Director for Strategic Public Health at PHA, said: “Community and voluntary organisations are uniquely placed to understand the challenges facing people in their communities. This short-term funding programme will support them to respond directly to local mental health and emotional wellbeing needs, providing small scale targeted initiatives where they are needed most.

“Last year the PHA invested more than £1.4 million in this scheme and more than 37,000 people benefited from direct involvement in the 447 funded projects across Northern Ireland.

“The PHA is keen to invest in programmes that will have a particular focus on using one or more of the ‘Take 5’ Steps to Wellbeing. These are five simple steps that we can build into our daily lives to maintain and improve wellbeing – Connect, Be active, Keep learning, Give and Take Notice.

“We are encouraging applicants to work collaboratively to develop innovative projects and most importantly involve local communities in project design.”

The programme provides the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to access small, non-recurring funding which can be used to support health improvement in local communities.

The PHA has commissioned the Clear Project, a project of Developing Healthy Communities, to facilitate this process in each Health and Social Care Trust area.

Helen Logan, Secretary of the Causeway Giants Wheelchair Basketball Club said:

“Without the Making Life Better funding programme, we could not have provided the range of activities that help our members stay active and connected which is key to supporting their emotional wellbeing.”

Two types of awards are available under the programme:

· Award one: Funding of up to £1,000 for non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.

· Award two: Funding of between £1,001 and a maximum of £5,000 for constituted, non-profit taking community/ voluntary sector groups.

Applications will open on Monday 6th July 2026 at 9am and closing date for applications is 3pm on Friday 31st July 2026.

To apply for the short-term funding opportunities for Belfast, Northern, Western, South eastern and Southern Health and Social Care Trust areas visit: dhcni.submit.com