Working for health.

The Health Work and Well-being Challenge Fund


FAQs

What is the Health Work and Well-being Challenge Fund?

A competitive grant scheme designed to improve employees’ health and welfare at work. Not all applications will receive funding.

Who can apply?

Small and medium sized businesses with between 1 and 249 employees, and local partnerships can apply. Businesses and organisations must be based in Great Britain. Businesses must be trading in Great Britain and must have been established for at least two years.

When can I apply?

The Fund is available over two years with two bidding rounds. You can apply between now and December 2009 for awards in 2010 and between September 2010 and December 2010 for awards in 2011.

What is the Challenge Fund for?

Initiatives that improve occupational health and welfare at work. We are looking for innovative projects. There are restrictions on big capital costs, like buildings and large pieces of machinery, and on employing temporary staff.

How much money can a business or local partnership apply for?

You can apply for a grant of between £1,000 and £50,000 in each year. You cannot receive more than one award in the same year.

Will I get all the money all at once?

The money will usually be paid in advance in quarterly instalments. Grants of £5,000 and under will be paid in advance in full.

Who will make decisions on which projects receive funding?

Local Assessment Panels will consider all full application forms received by 31 December 2009.

Will I get money for the whole period of my project?

We are matching the funding to financial years. That means that a project with a start date in April 2010 and an end date in March 2011 can receive funding for April 2010 to March 2011. A project with a start date in September 2010 and an end date in March 2011 can receive funding between September 2010 and March 2011 from the first round bidding process.

Can I apply for funding for two years in 2009?

If you are granted a Challenge Fund award to undertake a project during the first round you can apply for continuing support during the second round. You should tell us on the application form that you would like to do this. But any award in the second year would depend on successful performance in the first year.

I already run a project to improve the health and welfare at work of my employees – will you give me money to continue that?

The Challenge Fund is for new initiatives, not ongoing projects.

What is a small business?

Businesses can apply if they have between 1 and 249 employees. Businesses must be based, and trading, in Great Britain.

What is a local partnership?

Local partnerships are different organisations working together to address common interests and concerns. These can include:

  • Trade unions
  • public sector
  • private sector
  • third sector

My business is based in England, but what region is it in?

The Government Offices for the English Regions main website will tell you which region your city or town is in. Please click here to go to this site.

How can I find my local Health Work and Well-being Co-ordinator ?

There is a Health Work and Well-being Co-ordinator in each of the English regions and one Scotland and one in Wales. The relevant contact details are as follows:

Region/Country Email Telephone
South East hwwcse@dh.gsi.gov.uk 01483 882 483
South West swcoordinator@gosw.gsi.gov.uk 01179 001 757
East of England EastofEnglandHWWC@dh.gsi.gov.uk 01223 372 617
West Midlands HWWCWM@dh.gsi.gov.uk 01213 525 325
North East cynthia.bartley@dh.gsi.gov.uk 0191 275 4630
Yorkshire and Humber challengefundyh@dh.gsi.gov.uk 01133 412 886
London hwwblondon@dh.gsi.gov.uk 02072 173 058
North West nwcoordinator@neweconomymanchester.com 0161 952 4262
East Midlands HWWCEM@dh.gsi.gov.uk 0115 971 4753
Scotland HWWB@Scotland.gsi.gov.uk 01312 442 301
Wales Healthyworkingwales@wales.gsi.gov.uk 02920 826 324

I run a small business and I am interested in applying. Do you have any advice?

We want innovative solutions to a problem you’ve identified in your own business. Here are some points that might help you.

  • The Local Assessment Panel will be looking for innovative ideas for improving occupational health and welfare at work.
  • You should describe the problem you wish to solve in your application.
  • Projects to improve mental well-being in small businesses will take priority for funding.
  • We’d like to see that you have involved your employees in defining the problem you may be encountering and coming up with the solution.

What is DeMinimus State Aid?

DeMinimus State Aid is a small amount of financial aid, from public funds, usually from Government sources. If you want to find out more about State Aid, please click here