Over 65s voluntary groups can apply for healthy eating grants

Tuesday 29 July 2003

Food Standards Agency Wales invites applications for funding

Ref: WA28/03KC

Community and voluntary groups working with the elderly - and particularly those involved with vulnerable groups and the socially and economically disadvantaged - are being invited to apply for funding from the Food Standards Agency Wales.

Up to 20 grants of £500 - £10,000 in total are up for grabs towards one-off events or initiatives focussing on healthy eating.

Food Standards Agency Wales is providing the grants as part of its contribution to this year’s Keep Well This Winter campaign. FSA Wales' contribution to KWTW is to lead on healthy eating. It follows a similar exercise in 2001 and 2002.

Groups interested in making a bid are advised that there is no set format to follow when deciding on their event or initiative. Luncheon clubs, coffee mornings, cookery demonstrations and talks are just a few examples, but applicants are welcome to submit any proposal specific to the needs of the elderly community they serve.

The only qualifying criteria are that the event should be held in Wales, focus on healthy eating, be aimed at the over 65s and be achievable between October this year and February 2004. Applications for vulnerable groups and the socially and economically disadvantaged are particularly welcome, as research has shown that these groups can often have poor diets that can in turn contribute to other health inequalities.

Jayne Griffiths is an Executive Officer for the FSA Wales and will co-ordinate the bids for funding. Jayne said: 'Healthy eating plays an important role in the health of older people. It can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and some cancers, aid recovery from illness maintain independence and lead to a better quality of life. A good diet is especially important during the winter, when people can be at their most vulnerable to illness.

'There are no set rules for applicants to follow. The possibilities are probably endless, and we believe that local groups are best placed to know what is needed at a local level, and by whom. We are looking to these groups to suggest what would help them, and to submit a bid accordingly to gain from the funding that we have to offer.'

For further information, please contact:
Vicky Reilly ,
Food Standards Agency Wales
First Floor, Southgate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW

Telephone 029 20 678912
Fax 029 20 678918/9 or e-mail Vicki.Reilly@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk.

Applications must be received by 5 September 2003.

News contact: Kathryn Corcoran (029) 2067 8915

Note to editors

1. Submissions for funding should consist of the following: a summary of the proposal; past experience, including examples of previous projects involving the target audience; cost; a timetable for delivery; details of the organisation(s) involved, and contact details for the organiser or applicant.

2. The KWTW initiative is co-ordinated by the National Assembly for Wales, and provides information and support to people aged 65 and over, to enable them to keep well during the winter months.

3. One of the Food Standards Agency’s roles includes providing advice to the public and Government on nutrition and diet. In providing this advice, its aims it to achieve long term improvements in the diet and nutrition of the population and a reduction in inequalities by enabling and encouraging the disadvantaged and vulnerable to improve their diets.

4. The National Assembly for Wales’ key partners in the Keep Well This Winter campaign are: Age Concern Cymru; Care and Repair Cymru; the Food Standards Agency Wales; National Energy Action; the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Wales Youth Agency. The campaign is further supported by the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux, the Welsh Local Government Association and NHS Direct Wales.