Seventy four charities are to receive a share of more than £6.8m of Government money to develop new approaches to health and wellbeing, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow has announced.
The charities submitted funding bids to the Department of Health setting out how they could help their communities by improving care for thousands of vulnerable people.
Winning bids include: The Epilepsy Society, to promote early interventions for people with epilepsy in hard-to-reach groups.
The Motor Neurone Disease Association will develop wheelchair provision into a national service.
The Disabled Living Foundation will provide an online library of small electronic aids allowing individuals and their carers to try before they buy.
The Spinal Injuries Association will help educate health professionals how to avoid preventable conditions such as pressure sores and urinary infections.
Paul Burstow said "This new funding will improve the lives of thousands of people across the UK, helping them to lead healthier and more independent lives.
"It is crucial that we continue to champion our voluntary organisations, because their expertise allows them to design and develop innovative solutions to the big challenges we face in health, public health and social care.
"These exciting projects are more than worthy of our support and I am delighted that the money will be spent on providing individuals and local communities with the tools to tackle health and wellbeing."
