Improving Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

How do we improve fairness in heart health outcomes for Black populations in City and Hackney?

Improving Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease is one of the programme areas which is being taken forward as part of the MATCH programme.The focus is on improving outcomes for African and Caribbean heritage communities, as we know there are worse outcomes for these groups at the moment. From May 2023 to June 2024 the programme:

  • Established a steering group including stakeholders from Primary Care, City and Hackney Population Health Hub, Neighbourhoods Programme, VCSE organisations, Community Champions, and NHS NEL commissioners to plan the delivery of this work.
  • Undertook an evidence review of Community-based interventions to improve cardiovascular health and an evaluation of the local NHS Health Checks Service.
  • Three community outreach events were held in March 2024 to collect insight and promote opportunities for residents to be involved in the later stages of the project. The events also provided blood pressure testing, health advice and information on local services (provided by Stroke Project, Homerton nurses and Made in Hackney). 
  • In May 2024, two workshops were held – Workshop 1 focussed on reviewing what we know and agreeing the priority for areas to change and Workshop 2 focussed on generating and prioritising key areas for change. These were:
    • Projects which support an asset-based community development approach and fund existing community organisations to improve heart health
    • Translated information, including key health messages and local services
    • Tailored events, information and training for people on lower incomes at workplaces
    • Community-based information sessions
  • A final workshop was held in July 2024 to further develop the ‘change ideas’ into projects which can be funded through the MATCH Fund. The workshop was promoted among previous event participants and involved co-designing the funding aims and objectives and the fund parameters. The result of this workshop was designing the ‘Our Fingers on the Pulse Fund’ detailed below.

Making change

At the final workshop in July 2024, partners came together and developed the ‘Our Fingers on the Pulse’ fund to provide grants to Voluntary, Community and Enterprise Sector (VCSE) Organisations working with African and Caribbean heritage populations to improve heart health. 

About the fund

Our fingers on the pulse aims to improve heart health for African and Caribbean heritage populations in City and Hackney by funding community led initiatives that promote good heart health, take preventive approaches to reduce the risk of heart disease, or support those already struggling with poor heart health to manage their condition.

Eligible VCSE can apply for us to £15,000 to deliver projects that:

  • Utilise existing community infrastructure to deliver activities that improve heart health and build capacity and knowledge within the community to take action.
  • Take tailored, whole of person approaches to increase communication, awareness and understanding of the barriers and enablers to good heart health and key local support services.
  • Provide information and training for people on lower incomes in their workplaces. 

Read the fund guidance for full details.

Eligibility

Organisations are eligible to apply for funding if they:

  • Have an annual income of under £250,000 in the last financial year. 
  • Are a registered Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) organisation operating at a local level in Hackney.
  • Are an unregistered but formally constituted Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) organisation operating at a local level in Hackney, with a bank account in their name or a host organisation to support them.
  • Are a registered charitable company or social enterprise with a registration number on companies house (companies must have asset locks, be wholly not-for-profit and without share capital).
  • Are equity led: Equity led organisations are those led by and for (we define ‘led by’ as at least 51% of an organisation’s Trustees/Directors and/or senior staff) marginalised communities, in particular:
    • Led by people from Black and Global Majority communities
    • Led by d/Deaf or disabled communities
    • Led by LGBTQI+ communities
    • Led by Women and girls
    • Led by Older people (55+)
    • Led by Younger People (25 and under)

For full fund details and step by step application question guidance please ensure you read the fund guidance.

When to apply
  • Applications open: Monday 12 August 2024 at 09:30
  • Applications close: Monday 16 September 2024 at 23:59
  • All applicants notified of outcome by: Friday 4 October 2024 by 18:00
How to apply

Applications should be submitted through our online application portal prior to the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted. 

See our system help guides and videos if you’re having trouble using the portal. Most issues faced are covered here.

Be a decision maker

Our Fingers on the Pulse is a participatory fund, meaning it was designed in partnership with the communities it seeks to invest in. To continue this approach we’re looking for VCSE organisations and residents to join us as decision makers for the fund. Being a decision maker means that you assess grant applications and join a panel where everyone equally decides what projects are funded. 

If you would like to be a decision maker, you can read more about what the role entails and express your interest via this role outline or email us at phh@hackney.gov.uk with any questions. 

Contact us

If you have any questions about the fund or the MATCH process please email us at phh@hackney.gov.uk.

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