In the last round we awarded five Healthy Heart grants across the UK, totalling over £45,000. These grants are very popular and we can get up to 140 applications for some really interesting projects – it’s wonderful to know that people across the UK are so keen to improve their heart health.

EUREKA! Halifax | ‘Jump to the Beat’| £9,320        

‘Jump to the Beat’ is a fun and interactive outreach session made up of activities to educate children aged seven to 11, in deprived areas of Doncaster and Rotherham.  A series of 40 sessions, designed to keep children on their toes, will focus on facts about the heart, heart health and the benefits of a eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly.  Sessions will include exciting games to get the children running around and learning the importance of keeping physically active.

Age Concern, Suffolk | ‘Heart Health and Wellbeing Roadshow’ | £9,775         

The ‘Heart Health and Wellbeing Roadshow’, aimed at older people, will hit village halls and community centres in West Suffolk with talks, health screening and information, healthy eating demonstrations and taster activities designed to create awareness of heart health.  Around 300 people will benefit from activities including, the new craze of Nordic walking; cardiovascular exercise using equipment found around the home; yoga and healthy one-pot cooking recipes. 

Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS)| ‘Take Good Care of your Heart’ | £6,830

Over 60 unpaid carers in South Staffordshire, who look after family members or friends, will get a better understanding of the issues affecting both their own heart health and that of the person they care for at this very focused project.  The CASS Learning and Leisure team will give sessions on heart health, including advice on exercise, nutrition and stress.  A combination of information and practical experience will encourage participants to set Healthy Heart goals for themselves, and the person they care for, and make simple changes towards leading a healthier lifestyle.

Healthy Valleys, South Lanarkshire | ‘Grassroots’ | £9,980

Residents in underprivileged rural villages in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, who have little or no access to services, will get the opportunity to live healthier lifestyles through the ‘Grassroots’ programme of activities.  Locally trained volunteers will raise awareness of heart disease by teaching people of all ages how to cook and develop a better understanding of the benefits of eating a balanced diet.  The programme will give local people the opportunity to take up regular exercise, such as health walks, and get support with giving up smoking. 

University of Ulster | ‘Heart to Heart’ | £9,606

This is a really different project using a range of origami puzzles, based on heart facts, in local primary and secondary schools that could lead to new, novel way of encouraging better heart health.  The effectiveness of the puzzle as a classroom aid will be assessed by interviewing teachers and seeing whether children and parents have understood the messages contained in the puzzle.  A follow-up evaluation will also show how well the children absorbed the information and whether classroom aids are an effective way to communicate Healthy Heart messages to children. 

To find out more about applying for a Healthy Heart Grant click here.