Health Protection Community Grant - Print version

From 1 July through to the end of December 2023, community groups and organisations based in Coventry will be able to apply for a small grant to help raise awareness of key health protection messages. The Health Protection Community Grant scheme can be accessed through the Public Health team at Coventry City Council.

This purpose of this grant is to help local community and voluntary groups to raise awareness of a variety of health protection topics.

Applications are no longer accepted as all available funding has been allocated

What are the health protection topics?

The health protection messages we want help to raise awareness of include:

• Vaccination for older adults
• Vaccinations for pregnant women
• Oral Health
• Measles
• Sexual Health
• Tuberculosis (TB)

We want to give you the opportunity to identify what messages you think would benefit your community and to come up with activities that you think will work. If you would like to discuss this or any other ideas with the team, please contact us at HPTeam@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:HPTeam@coventry.gov.uk]

How to apply for a Health Protection Community Grant

How the grant will work

We want to give you the opportunity to identify the health protection messages you think would benefit your community and to come up with activities that you think will work to raise awareness on these key messages:

• Vaccination for older adults
• Vaccinations for pregnant women
• Oral Health
• Measles
• Sexual Health
• Tuberculosis (TB)

As an example, you could use the grant to run a 6-week awareness campaign at an existing group or have an information station at a planned event you are holding. The grant could also be used for learning through practical activities within a community group or be used for producing targeted videos and resources. These are just examples, and we will consider anything you think will work.

You may choose only one of the topics above to promote but you could apply for more than one if that was achievable and suitable for the group you support. If you would like to discuss this or any other ideas with the team, please contact us at HPTeam@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:HPTeam@coventry.gov.uk]

Funding criteria

Funds will be allocated to groups and organisations that can outline details of how they plan to spend funds and how the community will benefit from the work. We welcome applications from groups that can reach many but also those that can engage with the hardest-to-reach. Please consider how your ideas will help bring these messages into the community and who it may benefit the most when completing the application form. The team will award grants based on the details you give, so try to answer the questions below as fully as you can.

If you want to talk to us to get more information or talk to us about your idea, we would love to hear from you. For the launch of the scheme, we are holding two online Teams sessions on:

• Tuesday 11 July at 2pm
• Wednesday 19 July at 11am

Please drop us an email at HPTeam@coventry.gov.uk [http://HPTeam@coventry.gov.uk] to book a place. If you cannot make the above dates let us know and we will look at alternatives.

Application process

Once an application has been received it will be reviewed and a decision will be made as soon as possible. This usually takes us around 6 weeks. Please bear with us during this time.

If you are successful, you will receive a grant agreement for you to sign and return to us. The grant agreement sets out the terms and conditions of our funding that we ask organisations to comply with in exchange for the grant.

If you are unsuccessful, we will call or write to you and let you know the reasons for this. This is a discretionary grant and there are no rights to appeal the Council's decision.

Allocating funding

This project is financed with funds that are external to Coventry City Council. This funding will run until the end of April 2024. After this time there will be no further funding guaranteed by the Council. Grant applications will be accepted until 14 December 2023 or until the totality of the fund has been allocated. There is an expectation that all funded work should be completed by 31 March 2024.

How can I access support if successful?

As part of the grant agreement, you will receive an information and resource pack. This will help you gain knowledge on the topic chosen to help your group successfully implement your plan. The health protection team at Coventry City Council will also be available for support and any queries.

Apply for a Health Protection Community Grant

Applications are no longer accepted as all available funding has been allocated.

Vaccinations for older adults

As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. All adults aged 65 and over should make sure they are up-to-date with any vaccines they are eligible for.

• This includes two vaccinations that protect against shingles and pneumococcal infections
• All adults over the age of 65 are recommended to have a one-off PPV vaccine (pneumococcal infections)
• All adults aged 70 to 79 are encouraged to have a one-off shingles vaccine
• As winter approaches it is important for those eligible to also have an annual flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster.

Pneumococcal vaccine (PPV)

• Pneumococcal infections are caused by bacteria which can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis.
• These infections are often serious and potentially fatal. The pneumococcal vaccine or PPV protects against pneumococcal infections.
• The PPV vaccine is available for all adults over 65 years old from a GP surgery
• The PPV vaccine is also available for people who are at high risk due to long-term health conditions such as COPD, heart disease and diabetes

Shingles

• Shingles is a very common, painful skin disease, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus you may have had when you were younger.
• Shingles causes a burning sensation in the skin, followed by a painful rash or blisters developing on the skin. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed. 
• The shingles vaccine can reduce your risk of getting shingles and reduce the severity of symptoms if you do catch shingles
• The PPV vaccine is available for all adults aged 70-79 years old from your GP surgery

Vaccination in pregnancy

During pregnancy, your immune system is suppressed to help protect the baby. This can mean you're less able to fight off infections.

Additionally, as the pregnancy develops you may be unable to breathe as deeply as you did before, and respiratory infections can result in a slightly increased risk of complications.

Covid-19 and flu vaccines

• Pregnant women are more likely to get flu and COVID-19 complications than women who are not pregnant. They are also more likely to be admitted to hospital with flu and with COVID-19
• Most pregnant women with COVID-19 who need hospital treatment or intensive care in the UK have not been vaccinated
• If you get COVID-19 or flu late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk of preterm birth and stillbirth
• Having the flu and COVID-19 vaccine means you're less likely to get these infections
• It's safe to have these vaccines during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough rates have increased over recent years and very young babies are at greatest risk.

• Pregnant women can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated. The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta
• You should ideally have the vaccine between 16 weeks and 32 weeks pregnant
• This vaccine will protect your baby in the early weeks until they are old enough to be vaccinated as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme.

Oral health

Food and drinks

• Sugary food and drinks are one of the main causes of tooth decay
• Acid is produced when the bacteria in your mouth breaks down the sugar. This acid can dissolve the tooth surface, which is the first stage of tooth decay.
• Some sugars are found naturally in food and drink, such as fruit, honey and milk. The naturally occurring sugar in dried fruit, such as raisins, dates and apricots can also contribute to tooth decay. 
• Other foods have sugar added to them which is sometimes called processed food. For example, cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate, and fizzy drinks. 
• Try to minimise the amount and the frequency you and your family have sugary food and drinks
• Especially avoid sugary foods and drinks at bedtime when saliva flow is lowest. Saliva flow helps to ‘buffer’ against sugars giving protection 

Brushing your teeth

• Teeth should be cleaned twice a day - last thing at night (before bedtime) and on one other occasion
• Make sure you clean all the surfaces of all teeth (inside surfaces, outside surfaces and chewing surfaces). This should take about 2 minutes 
• Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride in the toothpaste doesn’t work as well 
• When children are young (under 7 years old), teeth should be brushed by a parent or carer. As the child gets older, a parent or carer can support children to learn to brush their own teeth 

Trips to the dentist

• NHS dental care is free for those under 18 years old; for pregnant women and those receiving low-income benefits
• Book regular check-ups with your dentist for you and your family. Do not put off going – finding problems early means problems are easier to treat 
• It is especially important to take children to the dentist for regular check-ups whilst their teeth are developing.

Measles

There has been an increase in measles cases across the country and it is important to make sure children have had two doses of MMR vaccine to protect them and others around them

• Measles is very infectious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. It one of the world’s most contagious (easy to catch) infectious diseases
• Symptoms include: a high temperature, sore watery eyes, coughing, aching and a blotching red/brown rash appearing a few days after the initial symptoms
• In rare occasions, measles can cause serious illness needing hospitalisation, such as pneumonia and meningitis. 
• Young babies, people with a weakened immune system and pregnant women are most at risk of serious compilations
•  Any person with measles symptoms should call ahead before attending a GP surgery or hospital

MMR vaccine

• The free and safe MMR vaccine protects against measles, as well as mumps and rubella
• Two doses of MMR are offered at 1 year of age and as a pre-school booster
• Some older children, teenagers and young adults may have missed their MMR vaccines
• Check your child’s ‘red book’ or ask your GP to check if your family are up-to-date with their MMR vaccine

Sexual health

It is essential to practice safe sex to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and from any unwanted pregnancies

• An STI can be either a viral or bacterial infection that is passed from one person to another through unprotected sexual activity
• Not all STIs have symptoms. Some infections don’t show signs for weeks or months and some can have symptoms that can appear and then go away
• The only way to know if you do have an STI is to get tested
• Without getting tested you can have an STI and pass it on to someone else

Condoms

• Safe sex involves using a condom correctly every time you have sex
• If you are aged 13 to 25 you can get free condoms by signing up to the C-Card initiative

Testing

• If you have sex regularly with different people, it is recommended to get tested every 3 months
• Men who have sex with men should get tested every 6-12 months and every 3 months if they are having unprotected sex
• It is also recommended to test for STIs when you change partners
• You don’t need to have lots of sexual partners to be at risk of an STI – any sexual activity without a condom could result in an STI
• STI testing is quick, easy, painless, and confidential and all STIs are treatable
• If you are aged 16 or over, you can order a STI kit to your home

Tuberculosis

All testing and treatment for infectious diseases is free to everyone living in this country, regardless of their immigration status. This includes testing and treating tuberculous (TB)

There are two types of tuberculosis – active TB and latent TB Active TB

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacteria that can affect any part of the body including the lungs and the brain
• If TB is found in the lungs or throat, it needs treating with antibiotics
• If this goes untreated, this is called Active TB
• Active TB means you have symptoms of TB and can pass the infection on to others
• Common symptoms of TB include:
  • a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • a high temperature/feeling generally unwell
  • loss of appetite/weight loss
• If you have TB symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your GP to discuss your symptoms

Latent TB

• Sometimes you can have TB but have no symptoms and are not infectious to other people. This is called latent or sleeping TB.
• If you are eligible you can have a free Latent TB Infection test

Who can have a test for Latent TB?

• Those who have arrived in the UK within the last 5 years
• Are aged between 16-35 years
• Are from a country with a high incidence of TB

Afghanistan; Angola; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Botswana; Cambodia; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo (Republic of the); DR Congo; Djibouti; Equatorial Guinea; Eswatini; Gabon; Gambia; Greenland; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Haiti; India; Indonesia; Kenya; DPR Korea; Kiribati; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Mongolia; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nauru; Nepal; Nigeria; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Tanzania; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vietnam; Zambia; Zimbabwe. Source: World Health Organisation (WHO), 2020

Community latent TB testing

The NHS TB team in Coventry is looking for opportunities to hold latent TB testing clinics in the community. We are particularly interested in organisations that can use the funding to host and promote a TB screening clinic within the local community.