Mpox and sexual health outreach and engagement fund: overview
Published 20 December 2022
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Background
Inequalities in sexual health remain a major public health issue in England. This year has been particularly challenging with the outbreak of mpox (monkeypox), with transmission seen predominantly in sexual networks of gay and bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
The mpox outbreak has highlighted the challenges of effectively reaching and engaging with those at greatest at risk, including encouraging those eligible to come forward for vaccination. Community based, voluntary sector organisations are best placed to engage with underserved populations.
We are pleased to be running the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) mpox and sexual health outreach and engagement fund to support voluntary sector organisations to develop and deliver work to address these inequalities in underserved LGBT+ populations – including to maximise uptake of the mpox vaccine and understanding and access to STI and HIV testing.
The types of projects we are interested in funding, and supporting applicants in, are:
- to ensure underserved eligible populations can access vaccinations for mpox and for sexually transmissible infections
- to increase knowledge, awareness, understanding in underserved LGBT+ communities of STI and HIV prevention strategies
- to increase the integration of HIV and STI prevention into other areas of health promotion and service delivery within LGBT+ populations
- to address stigma associated with mpox, STIs and HIV and offer culturally competent ways of addressing sexual health
We are interested in projects that not only have the knowledge of working with underserved communities but are able to establish and deliver mpox and sexual health outreach and engagement programmes expeditiously.
There is a total of £200,000 available through the fund, proposals will be accepted from voluntary sector organisations to deliver projects between £5,000 and £30,000.
Proposals in excess of £30,000, up to £50,000 will be considered. For larger bids it will be particularly important to demonstrate how funds can be spent by end March 2023 and that the bid represents value for money.
Next steps for applicants
1. Read the guidance document which explains the fund and how to apply.
2. Download the application form.
3. Review the terms and conditions for successful applicants.
UKHSA provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nation’s health. Its ambition is to lead nationally and enable locally a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge, and skills. It is a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy to advise and support government, local authorities, and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.
Guidance and resources for practitioners to undertake evaluations of interventions or projects in sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services can be found on GOV.UK.