The first round of applications for Cameron Grants closed on Friday 9 April. Please ‘watch this space’ for news of any future rounds.
Cameron Grants: small cash awards from Cameron Grant Memorial Trust to support innovation in mental health. Please read on for more information and details of how to apply.
Introduction
The objectives of the Cameron Grant Memorial Trust are to raise awareness of suicide, to urge all who are suffering in silence to speak up and ask for help, and to support people, especially young people, who are fighting to overcome poor mental health.
CGMT was set up in memory of Cameron Grant, who tragically took his own life after a long, but hidden, history of depression. The trust sought innovative ways to spread the message ‘There is always someone you can talk to.’ The use of Cameron’s Coasters (drink mats) and Cameron’s Coffee Cups printed with signposts to local and national mental health resources has been hugely successful, with nearly one million coasters printed and distributed to Universities, Schools, Professional Federations and Workplaces.
“This spirit of innovation lives on and we are keen to encourage innovative ways to support mental health and wellbeing”
As a society, we are getting better talking about mental health. The level of awareness and support continues to grow, from the royal family, prime ministers and parliamentarians, to celebrities and front-line blue light services, and some of the stigma attached to mental illness is waning.
Partly as a result of this progress, demand for support continues to grow. Even before the current pandemic, more than 4 in 10 people say they have experienced depression whilst over a quarter of people say they have experienced panic attacks. The pandemic is undoubtedly making things worse, with poor health, the loss of loved ones, unemployment and a devastated economy negatively impacting just about everyone, the demand for mental health services will only increase.
With this increase, the ability of underfunded and poorly resourced front-line support services to assist will further diminish. It is therefore imperative that we look towards innovative ways of supporting people who are suffering.
This document outlines a new scheme, funded by CGMT, to encourage innovative ways to support individuals suffering with poor mental health.
Through this scheme, CGMT will offer ‘seed-funding’ of between £100 & £2,500, to individuals or organisations who need money to trial new ways to support those in need. CGMT will award grants to fund these innovations. For details of the grants, what they’re for, how to apply etc., please see below.
About the new programme
Who?
Individuals; Charities; Social Enterprises/CIC; Schools; Colleges; Universities; Pre-registration start-ups; Voluntary Groups; Community Groups and other not-for-profit entities are invited to apply. NB: The applicants and the project must be UK based.
We cannot accept applications from companies that are aimed at generating profits for private distribution.
What?
Applications for a grant of between £100 & £2,500 will be considered. The grant can be used to trial a new service, create an asset, a technology, a performance, fund research, or otherwise experiment in any way that supports the treatment mental health. The emphasis will be on innovation – using new methods, channels, technology, ideas or approaches to reach out and effect change. Ideas should typically fit into one of the following categories:
- Destigmatising Mental Health
- Reducing Barriers to Mental Health Care
- Improving Mental Well Being
Note the grants are for project-based activities that demonstrate clear innovation. They will not be made to fund ongoing operational expenses or salaries.
The innovation can involve technology though It doesn’t have to. Cameron’s Coasters are a brilliantly simple and non-technical idea, but still innovative in their concept, design and execution. Another example is Neurodiverse Movement, a weekly programme of one-hour exercise sessions in an autism-friendly environment designed for neurodiverse individuals who would not feel comfortable in a typical gym environment.
We just know there is a huge space for, and need for, new approaches to the way we support people in this sphere. We need YOU to help us find them.
Why?
The need for mental health support has never been greater and will be driven higher by this pandemic.
Where?
Grants are available to any individual or entity based in the UK. These grants cannot be used to fund projects outside the UK.
When?
Applications will be accepted from 11th January 2021.
What if?
This programme is centred on the idea of innovation – trying things that are new, progressive and explore new ways of doing things. Innovation, by its very nature does not always succeed. We are always open to discussing a change of focus throughout any project as learnings arise, and we encourage open and positive dialogue on things that have not been as successful as hoped so we can benefit from the project’s learning overall.
How?
In the first instance, send an email with a brief outline of your idea and the amount you will be requesting to innovate@camgrant.org.uk.
We will review you request and get back to you within two weeks with an initial assessment. If this is positive, we will invite you to complete a formal application online via a Google Form. This should take between 20 & 30 minutes to complete.
Questions?
Please contact us at innovate@camgrant.org.uk if you have any questions