THE BOARD of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the county's first foundation trust, has approved its latest round of grants to 12 mental health projects in the county.

One-off government grants of £100 to £370 have been awarded to individuals or organisations.

Each grant will be used to improve the quality of life for people in Cornwall living with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

Thrilled

Every year more than 8,000 people receive specialist mental health support from the trust, while many others are supported by their local doctor.

Chris Bell, the deputy chairman of the trust's council of governors, said: "I am thrilled there has been such interest in the first year of the Governors' Grants scheme.

"More than 40 applications were received which demonstrates the huge interest and enthusiasm locally to support people with mental health and learning disabilities.

"Each application was very different but offered an innovative approach to mental health care in the community or a way to tackle the stigma and social exclusion which people with mental health problems so often experience."

Vicky Wood, chairman of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said the grants were having a positive impact.

"I am delighted with the success of the governors' grants.

"Our governors haven't even been in post for 12 months and they have already established a new way of working with their local communities.

"Although a relatively small amount, this £3,000 will have a very positive impact on the experience of people living with mental health or learning disabilities across the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Encourage

"The trust's governors were keen to encourage innovation as well as initiatives."

The grants were awarded to: Scilly's Memory Café; Bowman Thrills; MIND; the Oasis Centre; the Camel Club; Pentreath Ltd; Pentreath Young Peoples' Activities; Redruth Community Radio; Till Training; Survival Kit; Chaplaincy volunteers and Challenging Stigma – Hear Our Voice.

Each successful applicant has been asked to submit a short report by May 1 describing the impact of their grant.