As part of its offer, Living Well Sefton manages the Community Resilience Grant (CRG) fund which is open to local community groups and individuals for projects aimed at supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing.
More than 100 projects have so far been funded through the grant fund addressing themes such as: • Reducing social isolation for older people • Increasing people’s confidence and self-esteem • Improving people’s fitness • Helping to build awareness of healthy cooking and nutrition • Encouraging the whole family in developing activities together
We held the Community Resilience Grant panel for round 18 in July. A total of £22,295 was shared between 12 successful applicants who are addressing mental wellbeing in 18 - 25 year olds in the Sefton area, with a secondary aim to welcome SEND residents.
| Organisation | Project name | Project | Amount awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live to Learn | Live to Learn Student Chill Zone | Our students all have a learning disability. Some also have additional physical disabilities. Our experience shows that they often feel overwhelmed by day to day activities, and become anxious. This anxiety can be crippling for some people, and can prohibit them from taking part in activities. We are hoping to offer Gong Bath/meditation sessions on a weekly basis to help them relax and reset their emotions. This project will provide sessions for students, offering a calm and inclusive environment that supports wellbeing and emotional regulation. The immersive sound experience will help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve students’ readiness to engage in learning and social activities. Sessions will encourage mindfulness, body awareness, and self-regulation skills, which can be particularly beneficial for students who experience challenges with concentration or emotional management. Activities will be adapted to meet individual sensory needs, ensuring accessibility for all participants. Gong baths will form a valuable part of a wider ongoing wellbeing programme, helping students feel more settled, confident, and supported in their educational environment. | £1820 |
| Life's for Living, Sefton | Life's for Living, Sefton- Life Steps (Adults 18-25 years old). | The programme will offer life skills to young people with SEND, Neurodiversity and Mental Health Challenges. This will be 10 sessions overall. The sessions will include how to use household appliances, making healthy snacks and sandwiches, pizzas, and learning how to Iron, clean, use a washing machine and how to support a person living independently. This may not come natural to neurodiverse individuals and may still find this challenging as an older adult. Mindful arts and crafts, mindful music sessions, Healthy Eating, Exercises, physical health, Hygeine importance, self love, self care. Mindfullness, tapping therapy and box breathing sessions, educates young adults in how to help reduce anxiety. Life Skills and independant living skills may aim to reduce mental stress and unpredictable adulthood responsibilties. The aim is to improve mental health by offering education and early adult intervention to support indepentant living. The challenges for a 18-25 year old with SEND, Mental Health and Neurodiversity can be significant, this maybe one of the most challenging times into adult transition. Our project aims to encourage confidence, educate and reduce stress and decrease mental health challenges. | £1955 |
| Feelgood Factory | Wellbeing in Nature | We will deliver 10 weekly Wellbeing in Nature sessions for those who are experiencing anxiety, low mood, social isolation or stress. Delivered in our Community Garden combining activities with structured digital detox strategies including bird watching, potting plants, sensory exploration, taste tours of the garden, nature crafts and short local walks, all designed to help young adults switch off and reconnect with themselves, others and nature. The sessions will be informal and accessible, offering a calm “urban oasis” where young adults can practise being present, reduce anxiety, and build confidence. Young adults frequently report anxiety, low mood, disrupted sleep and difficulty concentrating. Many describe feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications, social comparison and pressure to be online. We regularly meet 18–25 year olds (and parents of) who say they struggle to “switch off” and that digital overload worsens their mental health these findings were echoed in a recent digital detox session delivered by our Wellbeing Mentors at Hugh Baird College attended by over 30 students. Research shows that natural environments help regulate the nervous system, especially for young people with sensory processing differences. Studies show that time in nature lowers cortisol and supports emotional regulation in autistic young people and ADHD. | £1600 |
| Talk the talk | Be Brilliant | Talk the Talk Education CIC will deliver four energetic and engaging half-day workshops 'Be Brilliant' for NEET young people aged 18–25 across Sefton, with each session supporting up to 20 attendees. The workshops will help young people build resilience, strengthen mental wellbeing and develop the confidence, motivation and self-belief needed to take positive steps towards future employment, learning or personal goals. Using interactive exploration activities, group discussion and practical reflection, attendees will be supported to understand what motivates them, recognise the impact of positive behaviour change and identify the thoughts, feelings and situations that may trigger poor mental health or reduced confidence. Each workshop will create a safe, inclusive and encouraging space where young people can explore their strengths, celebrate their individuality and develop realistic strategies they can use in everyday life. Attendees will leave with tangible tools, personal actions and simple wellbeing techniques to help them manage challenges, improve emotional resilience and feel more in control of their future. The outcome will be a motivated group of young people who feel better equipped to recognise their potential, make positive choices, improve self-esteem and take confident steps towards being brilliant in work, life and their community. | £2000 |
| Phoenix Community & Youth Project | Big Boys Do Cry | We would like to employ a Mental health First Aid Support Worker to deliver a project for young men aged 18 - 25 year olds, number of whom have additional support needs. They will be able to explore being male in today’s society influenced by the toxic Manosphere’ movement, historical masculinity and emotional intelligence. Young men grow up believing they have to be strong, the bread winner and to cry is showing weakness, not strength. We want them to believe its ok not to be ok. Right from early childhood if they fall over, they are told to ‘get up, big boys don’t cry or man up’. Toys are masculine like guns, cars and action man, which is essentially a masculine doll. Barbie’s boyfriend Ken is played with by girls and then we wonder why young men don’t show emotions and those that do are ‘Gay’, which is a derogatory putdown. Traditionally gay is used in a negative context to describe something that people don’t like, such as “Those trainees are gay”. Our Mental health Support Worker will unpick all this and more with our young men to help them to achieve more in their education and life in general. | £2000 |
| Community by nature | Community Minds | In partnership with young-adults in our community, we will facilitate a programme of activities to improve mental-wellbeing of residents aged 18-25, targeting those with SEND given the gap in provision in Sefton, to improve mood/reduce anxiety/feelings of social-isolation/build social networks and gain new skills/strategies to manage/improve their mental-health, ultimately increasing resilience.Held at our accessible community centre Queens road/Linacre Ward (an area of extreme deprivation) all activities will be fully accessible removing any barriers to engagement, bringing together young-adults from all communities locally. Reacting to consultation with young-adults (Christmas 25/Easter 26), and following our successful pilot evening wellbeing sessions for young-adults with SEND, this social programme will have a wellbeing theme with activities including basic relaxation techniques (breathing/mediation/sound bathing) exploring mood through art/mindful crafts. Informally facilitated each session will include preparing/sharing a meal, which experience shows attracts residents experiencing food-poverty. Reacting to community consultation/our SEND pilot, we will facilitate 3 outings in Sefton chosen by our young-adults (woodland/beach walk/restaurant/theatre/cinema/comedy) on our accessible minibuses offering young-adults new experiences with peers and something to look forward to, improving mood. | £2000 |
| Parenting 2000 | Moving Forward: Wellbeing and Independence Workshops | We are delivering wellbeing and personal development programme for young people aged 18–25 focusing mainly with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The project will support participants through the transition into early adulthood by building confidence, communication skills, emotional resilience, healthy relationships and practical knowledge of health and welfare services. The need is clear locally through our links with Southport College, Presfield School and Buddy Up Plus Youth Club, who all work with young people with SEND navigating changes in education, independence, friendships, relationships and future employment. National evidence also recognises this transition as a vulnerable stage: NHS guidance highlights that moving from children’s to adult services can be difficult and requires extra information, preparation and support, while Ofsted and CQC have identified that young people with SEND can face a “cliff edge” in support once they reach 18. Our workshops will provide a safe, accessible space for young people to explore wellbeing, manage stress, set boundaries, build self-esteem and understand the Five Ways to Wellbeing, helping them feel more prepared for adult life. | £2000 |
| RCCG MOUNT ZION LIVERPOOL LTD | No Limits: Building Resilient Minds and Inclusive Communities for Young Adults | Many young people in my community today face increasing anxiety, loneliness, social isolation, cost-of-living pressures, unemployment, low confidence, and uncertainty about the future. These challenges have significantly impacted mental wellbeing, resilience, and social connectedness. Through our engagement with local young adults, we regularly encounter individuals struggling with emotional wellbeing, lack of direction, and difficulties navigating everyday pressures. We will deliver a programme comprising well-being workshops, peer support groups, confidence-building sessions, life skills and resilience training, stress and anxiety management, and employment and career support designed to create meaningful connections. The programme will equip participants with practical tools to improve their mental wellbeing, strengthen resilience, develop confidence, and enhance employability skills. Peer support and social activities will foster a sense of belonging and encourage positive relationships. Delivered by trained volunteers and community partners, the project will provide a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all participants. Expected outcomes include improved mental wellbeing, increased confidence, reduced isolation, stronger peer networks, enhanced employment prospects, and greater inclusion for SEND residents. By investing in preventative wellbeing support and community connection, this project will empower young people to thrive, build resilience, and contribute positively to their communities. | £2000/td> |
| Ukraine united | Step Out & Connect: Wellbeing and Social Integration for Young Sefton Residents | Ukraine United CIC aims to deliver a targeted 6-month wellbeing project for 12–15 young Ukrainian refugees (aged 18–25) currently displaced and living in Sefton. The project, designed directly around their feedback, will include bowling/tennis sessions, cultural UK day trips, and post-activity 'Peer Support' social cafes. Through our front-line work at Ukraine United CIC, we have identified that the 18–25 age group is the hardest to engage and the most vulnerable. These young people suffer from severe trauma, anxiety about their homeland, and profound isolation. They heavily withdraw into social media, staying trapped in past worries and struggling to communicate or integrate locally. We know there is a critical need because we directly surveyed this group. They explicitly stated they desperately want a safe, structured environment to step out, meet peers facing the same challenges, and interact in the real world. This project is a vital lifeline. By replacing digital isolation with active, shared physical and cultural experiences, we will help them break the cycle of trauma, build an essential local support network, and significantly improve their mental wellbeing. | £2000 |
| Aintree Initiatives for Performing Arts CIC | AIPA's Social Circle | AIPA Wellbeing Circle improves mental wellbeing by providing weekly creative wellbeing sessions that reduce isolation, increase confidence and help young adults build meaningful social connections. Activities including music, drama, arts, games and wellbeing-focused discussions encourage participants to develop coping strategies, express themselves creatively and build resilience. The project promotes awareness of mental wellbeing and signposts participants to local support services. Sessions provide opportunities to learn new skills, build self-esteem and develop supportive peer relationships in a safe, welcoming environment. The project is specifically designed to engage young adults aged 18–25 who face barriers to participation, including neurodivergent young people, those with SEND, people experiencing anxiety, loneliness or low confidence, and those from disadvantaged communities. Activities are low-cost, locally delivered and accessible, reducing financial and transport barriers. AIPA works with local families, schools, community groups and support organisations to reach those most likely to benefit. The project offers a flexible, person-centred approach where participants engage at their own pace, helping those who may struggle in traditional group settings. A supportive community space where young adults feel valued, understood and connected, the project increases resilience and helps participants develop the confidence, friendships and life skills needed to live more independent lives. | £1840 |
| The Halle OBrien CIC | Halle’s Hub: Thrive Together. Supporting Young People’s Mental Wellbeing in Sefton | The aim of this project is to improve the mental wellbeing of 18–25 year olds living in Sefton through weekly wellbeing workshops based on Solution Focused Hypnotherapy principles, mindfulness and psychoeducation. The sessions will help participants understand how the brain responds to stress, anxiety and low mood, while providing practical tools to improve emotional resilience, confidence, sleep and overall wellbeing. Participants will learn positive coping strategies that can be used in everyday life and will be encouraged to focus on strengths, goals and achievable change. The project will also help reduce social isolation by bringing young adults together in a safe, supportive group environment where they can connect with others experiencing similar challenges. This is particularly important for young people who may be waiting for counselling or other mental health support services. The project aims to provide early intervention, improve self-management of mental wellbeing and increase participants’ confidence in accessing further support when needed, helping them move towards healthier and more positive futures. | £1000 |
| Brunswick Youth and Community Centre | Kickstart your wellbeing | There are many young people in our local area who are NEET and who are finding it hard to navigate training and employment. Kickstart your wellbeing is about embracing those young people aged 18 to 25 to give them a sense of purpose, something to get up for in the mornings to learn more about their mental health and make adjustments to improve it. The project would run one a week from 11 till 2, some class work in the morning, i.e. cookery lessons, community garden work, meditation/yoga/ learning breathing techniques and early intervention workshops around health and wellbeing. We would also encourage them to do an ASDAN qualification (we are recognised Centre), gaining a qualification helps improve confidence and grow self esteem. Then in the afternoon 1 till 2 they would have access to the sports hall to play football and multi sports i.e. badminton, cricket etc.During the project we would also have an outreach session to encourage young people around the area to join in with the sessions and also speak with them about their own mental health issues encouraging participation but also signposting to mental health services. | £2000 |
As part of our offering we also provide locality grants to our Neighbourhood Partners. The grants are awarded on the basis of the collaborative project fulfilling a need in their local area based on a series of themes, each area led by one of our Local Healthy Living Centres.
Creative health uses arts, culture, creativity and nature-based activities to improve physical and mental wellbeing. The programme will embed creative health in accessible, community settings rather than clinical environments.
Through a shared “No Wrong door” model, individuals will be able to walk into any partner venue and access a range of creative health sessions, regardless of where they first engage. This approach broadens access, reduces duplication, improves referral pathways, and enhances outcomes for local people.
Providing a connected network of monthly activities covering themes such as Healthy Cooking, Exercise, Mindfulness, Digital Inclusion, Local History/Family Tree and Arts and Crafts. The collaboration will produce and distribute a monthly newsletter advertising all local partner activities, events and programmes including health messages and information from wider stakeholders.
Connecting through Place is a year-long, collaborative Healthy Neighbourhood project designed to improve adult well-being and strengthen community cohesion by bringing people together through Southport’s coast, town, green spaces and local heritage. Find out more here.
Living Well Sefton, in partnership with Sefton Public Health, also offers ‘Small to Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) grants of up to £500 to improve the wellbeing of employees.
Looking after the wellbeing of your employees will make you a stronger organisation with a happier, healthier workforce, especially with the current cost of living crisis and other ongoing issues. It also shows that you care about the people who work for you. Improving workplace wellbeing can also contribute to reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and support staff to improve their lifestyles.
Find out more, read the full criteria and apply using this form.
If you have any questions about our Grant Funding or would like to discuss a proposal before making
an application please contact us by
Email: lws@seftoncvs.org.uk
