MPHN Pitch Night finalists announced
Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) has announced its three 2022 Pitch Night finalists with each expected to receive around $25,000 in one-off grant funding determined by the community.
The finalists are The Root Cause with a proposal to fund an innovative and interactive 12-month Children’s Health Program; Telecare with a pitch to deliver a healthy eating program called ‘Empower’; and headspace Wagga Wagga who want to develop a podcast for young people called ‘Vibing for Vitality’.
Acting CEO Julie Redway said Murrumbidgee Pitch Night is an initiative where community-driven and locally-based organisations, including not-for-profits, can pitch their innovative ideas for addressing the health needs of their local communities.
“We are very excited to give these organisations the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a group of community representatives who will determine the funding each finalist receives,” Ms Redway said.
“Our aim is to provide funding for organisations to establish innovative projects that not only meet the needs of the community but could act as a catalyst for implementation in other communities across the region.”
MPHN Senior Manager Commissioning Janelle Dufty said the Pitch Night finalists were determined based on a rigorous tender process.
“Each of our three finalists were selected on the strength and merit of their idea, and I am looking forward to Pitch Night itself when the specific funding for each of our worthy finalists is determined, “Ms Dufty said.
“The finalists will now participate in pitch coaching to help them prepare their six-minute pitch to really showcase their innovative programs and how they will benefit Murrumbidgee communities.”
This year’s Pitch Night will be held on 26 September in Finley and each finalist will have six minutes to pitch their idea and after all pitches are heard the crowd will assist MPHN determine the funding each finalist receives.
ENDS
The Root Cause – Children’s Health Program
The Root Cause is a national health transformation social enterprise helping children thrive, improve their learning, behaviour and resilience, by partnering with schools and parents, providing them with ongoing mentoring and resources to help them empower children to make better food and sleep choices.
The funding will provide schools access to our innovative and interactive 12-month Children’s Health Program (CHP) – a whole school nutrition education program for primary schools, covering every student, family and staff member. The 12-month partnership empowers whole school communities to build a positive and lifelong relationship with food and sleep, which underpins health, behaviour and academic performance.
Telecare – Empower
Telecare is one of Australia leading virtual telehealth clinics. Co-designed by patients, a general practitioner and medical specialist, this collaborative model of care utilises telehealth consultations to facilitate and improve access to specialists and other allied health services for rural communities and aged care facilities.
Funding will provide access for 120 people living across the Murrumbidgee region to Telecare’s ‘Empower’ program. This 12-week interactive virtual program will educate and empower adults living with obesity (BMI > 30) to make healthy and holistic nutritional choices, including healthy intuitive eating; and also aims to foster a better relationship with the body and food.
headspace Wagga Wagga – Vibing for Vitality
headspace Wagga Wagga provides free support for young people aged 12 to 25 years with their mental health, physical health, drug and alcohol and work and study choices. headspace Wagga also provide outreach to Cootamundra, Tumut and Temora.
This funding will assist in the establishment of an exciting podcast project proposed by the headspace Wagga Wagga youth reference group (YRG). The ‘Vibing for Vitality’ podcast will focus on topics relating to mental health literacy and civic engagement, and will be designed, produced and edited by the headspace Wagga Wagga YRG. It is expected the podcast will enhance youth perspectives and engagement with conversations about mental health and wellbeing.