One Devon launches Outreach COVID-19 Vaccination Fund for local VCSE organisations

One Devon, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for Plymouth and Devon, has announced the launch of the Outreach COVID-19 Vaccination Fund which aims to "enable organisations from the VCSE sector across the Devon County Council footprint to deliver innovative projects/initiatives/activities with vulnerable communities to help increase uptake of COVID vaccinations".

According to the fund’s page on the One Devon website, the ultimate aim of the scheme is to “increase the vaccine uptake amongst vulnerable communities”. VCSE organisations are invited to apply for either a level one grant up to £1,000 or a level two grant of £1,000 to £10,000. Funds should be used for “Activities [including] supporting vaccination outreach, building vaccine confidence, and undertaking engagement with vulnerable communities such as to explore barriers to uptake.”

In developing the Outreach COVID-19 Vaccination Fund, One Devon has noted the following “vulnerable communities” in which there is a lower uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations, to which funds should be directed:

• Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities

• People who are experiencing homelessness

• People with a lLearning disability, neurodiversity, or severe mental illness (SMI)

• Immunosuppressed and clinically at risk cohorts

• Unpaid carers

• Faith and belief groups

• The LGBTQ+ community

• Vulnerable migrants and refugees

• Ethnically diverse communities

• Younger people

• People experiencing drug and/or alcohol dependence

• Sex workers

• People with physical, sensory, and hidden disabilities

• Pregnant women

Applications for the One Devon Outreach COVID-19 Vaccination Fund are now open. Simply click or tap the button below to apply. If you have any questions, please contact Aggie Szpinda by emailing agnieszka.szpinda@nhs.net.