Grants supporting drought affected young people now available

Schools, sporting clubs, youth groups, and other organisations involved in supporting young people up to the age of 25 years, can now apply for a Murrumbidgee Youth Community Grant to receive funding for activities aimed at building resilience and positive mental health and wellbeing.

The initiative is part of Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s (MPHN), Federal Government Empowering Our Communities funding to support mental health and wellbeing in the region’s drought affected communities.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the recent UNICEF drought report showed the impacts of prolonged drought on children and young people and was the catalyst for creating this grant opportunity.

“As part of our commitment to supporting rural communities deal with the uncertainty, stress and anxiety in our drought affected areas, MPHN is pleased to offer a grants program directly aimed at young people,” she said.

“During my travels of the region I am always impressed by the innovation and enthusiasm of young people leading various mental health initiatives, and I’m looking forward what community-led activities are developed to access these grants.

“I definitely encourage schools, youth groups, sporting clubs and other organisations supporting young people to develop a suitable activity and apply for a Murrumbidgee Youth Community Grant,” she said.

The Murrumbidgee Youth Community Grants have two funding levels, up to $1,500 where a simple 250-word overview of the activity and a basic budget is required to apply. The next level is for grants of more than $1,500 and up to $5,000, which will require a 500 word overview and a more detailed budget and quotes. Application to approval of funding should take no more than two weeks.

Grant applications close on Friday, 27 March 2020 or when funding is exhausted. All grant activities must be complete by 30 June 2020.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency should call the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511, Lifeline 13 11 14 or call 000. Or to access the Head to Health website visit www.headtohealth.gov.au.

For more information about the Murrumbidgee Youth Community Grants visit www.mphn.org.au or follow Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network on Facebook or Twitter.