The Equity in Mind Fund (EiM), was established in 2021 as a partnership between Suffolk Community Foundation and the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). The funding was aimed at further developing community-based mental health provision delivered by local organisations for the benefit of adults and young people with severe mental health illness including psychosis, eating disorders, and severe depression, as well as providing support for those with complex emotional needs.
Over time the focus shifted slightly to encompass a wider range of providers and include a preventative element targeting groups particularly at risk of mental poor health.
This fund was created with the intention of enabling voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to work alongside and in partnership with one another, as well as with statutory
health providers, to bring a localised community-based approach which is responsive to local needs. Events bringing funded organisations together for learning and exchange of ideas was a part of the design of the fund.