Up to £10,000 available from the Happiness Hubs grants for community groups and organisations

Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), is calling for applications from organisations that want to offer safe spaces and activities for local people to meet, connect, and feel supported.

Attendees at the Pelaw View Centre lunch club

Since the scheme began in 2020, over £894,000 has been donated to local organisations working to create a better environment for communities across County Durham.

Kelly Spence, Mental Health Co-ordinator at PCP, said: “We’re delighted to offer grants ranging from £500 to £10,000 to community groups and organisations across County Durham through the Happiness Hubs grant scheme.

“We’re especially interested in supporting projects that run during evenings and weekends, creating welcoming spaces where people can connect, build friendships, share conversations, and feel supported.

“We want to help people lead happier, healthier lives by focusing on mental health, wellbeing, and personal resilience.”

Pelaw View Centre is just one organisation that funds were given to through the grant scheme, and they have seen it have a positive impact on the community.

A staff member from Pelaw View Centre said: “The funding has helped us provide a lifeline to this community of high deprivation by starting a very successful weekly Coffee Morning and Lunch Club, the lunch club is now self sustaining.

“We are as certain as we can be that these two groups are embedded into the fabric of the Centre and will continue to support the mental health of the community - we couldn’t have started these activities without Happiness Hub funding.”

To qualify for a grant, organisations must run a project or service that lasts between 12 to 18 months.

The Happiness Hubs grant scheme is brought to you by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and North East charity PCP.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 26 November. To request an application pack you can visit www.pcp.uk.net/happiness-hubs email happiness.hubs@pcp.uk.net or call 07715 204462.