£10,000 grant available for Healthy Heart community projects in Scotland

Community groups in Scotland that are helping local people look after their hearts can as of 4^th of April apply for a £10,000 grant from national charity Heart Research UK.

The grant is available for new and innovative projects that promote healthy hearts and are aiming to reduce the risk of heart disease in their community. The deadline for applications in Scotland is 2^nd of May.

Since 2001, Heart Research UK has awarded over 300 community grants, directly benefiting the hearts of over 70,000 individuals and countless wider community and family members across all regions of the UK.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the world’s biggest killers, and the aim of the Healthy Heart grants is to work preventatively within communities that may be marginalised or not have access to health initiatives.

Projects should deliver health initiatives such as cooking skills, healthy eating and accessible exercise and should promote mental wellbeing and encourage people to be active. The grants are only available to not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups, voluntary organisations and sports groups.

Last year, the Scotland grant was awarded to Nutrition Scotland’s new programme, which supported residents at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in one of Glasgow’s most disadvantaged areas. The aim was to bring people together with food through cooking and nutrition classes that focused on reducing risk factors of CVD.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “Through the Healthy Heart grants we hope to encourage people across the whole country to make healthier choices and give them practical help to do so. These grants are available to ensure everyone has the chance to benefit from a healthier, happier and longer life.

“We’re looking for new and innovative projects that really have an impact, especially if they aim to improve the health of at risk or hard to reach communities.”

The deadline for applying is 2^nd of May and can be done by visiting https://heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-heart-grant-apply/. For more information, please email [email protected]