Benefitting over 52,000 people within the West Midlands and Warwickshire, Heart of England Community Foundation has continued to award grants of up to £20,000 to help grassroots organisations tackle the increased mental health crisis faced by many, due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is themed around ‘nature and environment’, following the rise in people seeking green spaces to help with their mental wellbeing throughout lockdown. Wild Earth UK, an organisation providing wellbeing programmes to adults within Coventry, received over £9,000 from the Foundation’s Winter Wellbeing fund. Through the funding received by Heart of England, Wild Earth UK has helped to connect people living in Coventry with nature, providing numerous activities, community development and youth work.

Geeta Sarcar, Director for Business Development, Strategy and Programmes at Wild Earth UK, comments: “At Wild Earth UK we believe that nature offers the perfect source for self-development, and we pride ourselves on helping people to embrace nature and all of its benefits. During lockdown, we saw so many people struggling with their mental wellbeing take comfort in nature, and we want to continue to support this space for mental health and the environment by creating more positive experiences for people in our city. We are so thankful for the grant awarded to us by Heart of England, as it’s helped us to continue offering our wellbeing programmes to the local community.”

From Birmingham to Warwick, those supported by the Foundation’s grants have been able to continue running and provide extra provisions or new services to ensure that every community is receiving the support that they need when it comes to health and mental wellbeing.

Tina Costello, Chief Executive at Heart of England Community Foundation, says: “The pandemic has impacted the mental wellbeing of so many individuals across the region, however it’s great to see that so many of our grassroots organisations are doing everything that they can to help communities combat these issues. I’m so pleased that with the help of our incredible donors, the Foundation has been able to help ease the pressure of those charities trying to may a difference.

“Already, in the last twelve months, we’ve supported almost 100 charities who together have offered vital services to over 52,000 people. We hope that the Foundation can continue to help ensure that these organisations continue to serve our region and ease the mental wellbeing issues of those struggling.”