With applications for the next round of Community Choices open until 1 December 2023, we’re showcasing how one of the groups benefited from funding through the initiative last year.
Strathcarron Hospice, based in Denny, secured a Small Grants award of £4,800, enabling it to continue the 'Lymph Notes' Choir programme for four months in 2022.
Launched as a pilot musical therapy initiative, the choir primarily serves individuals living with lymphoedema, a chronic condition characterized by the accumulation of lymph fluid.
During the initial 6-month pilot phase, the choir offered 17 members the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges while providing a creative outlet. Remarkably, participants reported an average 35% improvement in their mental health and mood.
The choir also evolved to help raise crucial funds for Strathcarron Hospice, renowned for its provision of specialised palliative care and expert end-of-life services to individuals in Forth Valley, Cumbernauld, and Kilsyth.
Community Choices
Community Choices is Falkirk Council’s participatory budgeting initiative that puts control over how public money is spent into community hands.
It provides groups with a way to apply for funding and local communities a chance to vote and decide how public money is spent.
There are two grants available: Small Grants is for projects up to £5,000 while Place-based Capital Grants is perfect for big projects that need capital investment to building something new, improve an asset or purchase equipment.
Margaret-Anne Garner, Lymphoedema Specialist at Strathcarron Hospice, said: "Community Choices funding has helped so many initiatives like ours make a real difference in people's lives, providing them with much-needed support that may not have been possible had the grant not been secured.
“The choir has created a safe space for people with lymphoedema and lipoedema to meet, build relationships, and share experiences. It's also helped them learn new skills and reduced feelings of isolation and anxiety."