Social inclusion grants on offer

COMBATTING loneliness and forging social connections are at the heart of a new local program, with grants available to turn helpful ideas into realities.

The City of Ballarat’s Social Inclusion Ballarat Fund is designed to support initiatives that reduce barriers to participation and foster a sense of belonging.

Applications through the fund opened in recent days with grants of between $5000 and $40,000 available for projects that strengthen social inclusion and connection.

“This initiative places local community members at the centre of identifying and responding to barriers to social inclusion,” City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said.

“Social Inclusion Ballarat has deliberately chosen to lead this new grant program as a way to drive impact, backing initiatives that strengthen connection, reduce loneliness and improve mental health outcomes across Ballarat.”

Social Inclusion Ballarat is a new group, formed as part of a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system.

The recommendation acknowledged that local communities are best placed to understand and address the factors that influence social connection, inclusion, and mental wellbeing.

Ballarat is among the first 10 local government areas in the state to establish a social inclusion action group, and it brings together 14 residents with lived experience of isolation and strong connections to communities most at risk of loneliness.

Funding is available to groups, organisations and individuals for initiatives relating to research, fostering safe places or community connections.

Applications close on Monday 8 June with more information through the City of Ballarat’s MySay page.