Funding available to SMEs
November 1st 2009 Small businesses and local partnerships across Britain can bid for a share of millions of pounds over the next two years to fund innovative projects to improve the health and welfare of their workers.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Minister Lord McKenzie is inviting small and medium sized businesses and local partnerships to bid for a share of the Health Work and Well-being Challenge Fund.
“We are working with employers to provide the necessary support to help workers remain happy and healthy in their job. This fund will improve conditions in the workplace and will help to prevent workers taking time off sick," explains Lord McKenzie.
“We are looking for innovative and exciting ideas to improve the health and welfare of employees in the workplace. These can include projects to reduce stress, improve a work-life balance or provide healthy activities.”
The DWP’s Health Work and Well-being Challenge Fund is worth £4m and will be available from now until March 2011.
The DWP is looking for projects that promote health and welfare at work, such as:
• Reducing stress and improving other mental health conditions
• Providing healthy activities
• Ensuring work-life balance
• Supportive management
There will be two rounds of funding and successful projects can be awarded between £1,000 and £50,000 a year. Local Assessment Panels will decide which projects will receive funding, based on criteria aimed at promoting occupational health and welfare at work.
Further details, including project criteria and guidance for entries, are available at www.workingforhealth.gov.u k/ChallengeFund More articles from HSM News Desk: | 
