YORK and North Yorkshire residents who wish to improve their community can apply for up to £20,000 from a national charity to make their plans a reality.

Mental health charity Mind is offering the funds to people who wish to run a community project, which will help improve the local environment and involve people with mental health problems.

The scheme is part of Mind’s Ecominds grants scheme which aims to improve the mental wellbeing of thousands of people by encouraging outdoor activity and investing in the local environment.

Barry Watts, grants manager of Ecominds, said research by Mind found that being outdoors and active can be highly beneficial to mental wellbeing.

He said: “In a recent study, after just one country walk, 90 per cent of participants had increased self-esteem and 71 per cent reported decreased feelings of depression.”

Funded by Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, Ecominds will distribute £7.5 million to new and existing projects across the UK.

If you want to take part or get more information, visit ecominds.org.uk or write to Ecominds, 15-19 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 4BQ to request an application pack.