VicHealth’s 2021 Reimagining Health grant to benefit 280 local organisations

As COVID restrictions ease across Victoria and with a focus on young people, 280 local organisations are to share in $3 million of funding to continue supporting their communities to reconnect and improve their health and wellbeing.

The newly funded projects are part of VicHealth’s 2021 Reimagining Health grant round which will see grassroots organisations, clubs and groups make even more of a difference to the wellbeing of their communities.

The Reimagining Health grants will support more Victorians to access healthy and affordable food, reconnect socially and get active following the challenging and ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

Funded projects include:

•Mzuri Dance and African Communities Foundation establishing dance classes for African Australian young people aged six - 13 years, creating a vibrant social hub for young members of their community;

•Football Victoria expanding their MiniRoos Kick Off and GoLocal programs aimed at seven -12 year olds into new regional areas, including East Gippsland and Wimmera; and

•Health Futures Australia’s Young Growers and Healthy Lunch Kitchen program providing nutritious school lunches to regional communities in the Hepburn area, while providing employment to 16-18 year olds in their local community.

Victorian Minister for Health Martin Foley notes “community organisations are the heart of our communities. It’s fantastic to see 280 of them preparing to deliver their creative, local solutions to support Victorians to socially connect, access healthy and affordable food and be more physically active when restrictions allow."

VicHealth Chief Executive Dr Sandro Demaio said local organisations, such as sports clubs, arts organisations and community gardens, were key to supporting Victorians through an incredibly challenging time and adds “Protecting our health and wellbeing is more important than ever. We’re thrilled to partner with 280 innovative, locally-led and owned projects, which will support communities as we navigate the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 bushfires.”

Young people were involved in the grant selection process, providing them with a meaningful opportunity for their voices to be heard when considering projects that benefit other young people and local communities.

20-year-old Bronya Kondzior, a member on the advisory panel, said it’s important for young voices to be heard in decision making and explains “by including young voices in decision making, it helps create a community that is for everyone. I look forward to watching these projects come to life, and with them positive and long-lasting outcomes for Victorians of all ages, cultures, backgrounds and abilities.”

For more information on the Reimagining Health Grants go to www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding/reimagining-health-grants 

Image: Football Victoria expanding their MiniRoos Kick Off courtesy playfootball.com.au/miniroos/kotd