Step Up MCR

Neighbourhood Health Fund

Step Up MCR’s Neighbourhood Health Fund has £5,000 available for community groups in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw addressing low MMR vaccine uptake this winter.

Step Up MCR

Neighbourhood Health Fund


Step Up MCR’s Neighbourhood Health Fund has £10,000 available for community groups in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw addressing Heart Health & Bowel Health.


Step Up MCR's Neighbourhood Health Fund, in collaboration with Manchester Local Care Organisation, supports healthier and happier communities across Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw.


Funding is available to support communities to make informed choices around MMR vaccinations. The MMR vaccine gives long-term protection against measles, mumps and rubella.


The fund will make MMR vaccinations more accessible by providing information, support and guidance to local people over the winter.


This initiative aims to address health inequalities and improve vaccination rates, particularly among communities facing higher health risks.


If your community organisation would like to work with us, you can apply for a grant of up to £2,500.


Applications close 5pm Monday 18th November.


Click to apply

ABOUT THE FUND

Step Up MCR is launching a targeted initiative to address low MMR vaccination uptake among communities in Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw.


We are seeking partnerships with community organisations to facilitate education sessions and promote vaccination within specific communities experiencing lower vaccination rates. This initiative aims to address health inequalities and improve vaccination rates, particularly among communities facing higher health risks.


Fund focus:

  • Community engagement: Partnering with organisations representing communities to conduct educational sessions aimed at promoting vaccination, dispelling myths, and emphasising the benefits of MMR vaccination.



Funding opportunity:

  • Organisations serving communities with low MMR vaccination uptake will have the opportunity to apply for funding.
  • Funding will support the delivery of targeted education sessions and outreach efforts.
  • This is a targeted winter fund and grants must be completed by March 2025.


Support and resources:

  • Funding will be provided to selected organisations to conduct education sessions tailored to their communities, emphasising the importance of MMR vaccination and addressing any concerns or misconceptions.
  • Local healthcare partners will provide support and guidance throughout the process, including assistance with vaccination logistics.
  • Printed materials in multiple languages, as required, to support outreach efforts and provide additional information.



Measurement of success:

  • Groups will be required to report on outreach activities, participant engagement, and vaccination uptake as part of the evaluation process.
  • Success will be measured by post-session feedback and vaccination data. Measurements can look at vaccination uptake as well as recording a better understanding of vaccine hesitancy, understanding barriers preventing uptake, and debunking local misinformation/misconceptions among targeted communities.
  • Simplified reporting templates will be provided to streamline the process and focus efforts on outreach.



Application process:

  • Organisations or groups interested in supporting communities with low MMR vaccination uptake are invited to submit an application.
  • Organisations or groups must specify the amount of funding required up to a maximum amount of £2,500 (in exceptional circumstances higher amounts may be considered if there is a strong case for additional resources). 
  • Applications will be considered by our local teams in conjunction with the available funding and which areas are considered to be a priority.
  • Successful applicants will receive funding to support their outreach efforts and facilitate vaccination uptake within their communities.



Applications open Friday 1st November and close Monday 18th November.


Click here to join our online funding support drop-in on, Tuesday 5th November at 11:30AM.


FUND INFORMATION

  • How much can I apply for?

    You can apply for up to £2,500 for your MMR vaccine uptake project.


    In exceptional cases, we may fund above this amount. 


    Please see below for more information relating to the fund and its priorities.


  • What activities can I apply for?

    We're looking to support creative community-led approaches to MMR vaccine uptake in our neighbourhoods. 


    Your activities could include things like: 


    - Information sessions that form part of your usual community activities 

    - Training up community champions to speak to neighbours in local spaces (e.g. GP practices, pharmacies, places of worship, schools, nurseries or supermarkets)

    - Door knocking to chat to neighbours about the vaccine

    - Leafleting at schools or other local spaces

  • What application support is available?

    Our Neighbourhood Health Fund offers more than project funding. 


    As well as supporting your application from start to finish, our team can provide useful connections, development support, regular check-ins and promotion for your activities. 


    The fund is also linked with neighbourhood health experts and NHS clinical leads who may be able to get involved in your activities (on request and subject to capacity).


    We encourage all applicants to have a conversation with us before submitting.


    Together with MLCO, Step Up MCR can support you to: 

    • Structure your proposal and project budget, 
    • Include the relevant health information,
    • Set out your monitoring & evaluation plans,
    • Involve local health delivery partners in your activities. 

    Please contact the team on hello@stepupmcr.org to arrange a conversation. 


    You can also join our online funding drop in on Tuesday 5th November, 11:30-12:30pm. 


    Click here to sign up.

  • How do I submit my application?

    The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 18th November. 


    Submit your application online here.


    Please contact hello@stepupmcr.org for any questions or to submit your application in an alternative format.

  • What can't I apply for?

    • Projects out of our neighbourhood wards (Ancoats &Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw) except where you can demonstrate people from these wards are the main beneficiaries.

    • Projects which are for individual benefit or targeting a specific demographic. Where your project does work with one group, we’d like you to let us know how the project will promote community cohesion.

    • Projects promoting politics or religion. Churches or religious bodies may apply as long as the project benefits the wider community. 

    • Companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members.

    • Schools and health bodies may apply but we will not fund statutory activities.

APPLICATION PROCESS

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Nonday 18th November.


Click here to join our online funding drop-in on Tuesday 5th November 11:30-12:30PM.


We recommend arranging a conversation with the team before submitting.


Please contact hello@stepupmcr.org for any questions or to submit your application in an alternative format.