Defra's fifth Rural Stress Action Plan is providing £500,000 over three years to voluntary and community sector organisations that are providing support to people in rural areas who suffer from stress.

Jim Knight, Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity, said:

"Defra recognises that voluntary and community organisations are providing invaluable services to many people in rural areas, especially supporting them in times of need. This is a useful fund which supports work to help people in a real and practical way."

Expressions of interest are invited from relevant bodies for work within rural England. Proposals may start from November 2005 onwards and run up to no later than March 2008.

The fund is being co-ordinated jointly by Defra and the Rural Stress Information Network (RSIN) on behalf of the Rural Stress Action Plan (RSAP) Working Group.

Applications will be conducted in a two-stage process, with initial expressions of interest followed by a full application for short-listed eligible applicants.

Expression of interest forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from: www.rsin.org.uk. Enquiries to Renny Wodynska at hq@rsin.org.uk or tel. 02476 413 605.

The closing date for expressions of interest is 15th July 2005 at 12 noon.

1. The Rural Stress Action Plan targets projects aimed at the following groups of people: * Owners, occupiers and workers on the land; * People who run small rural businesses and their employees; and * High-risk occupational groups at risk of suicide - i.e. farmers and agricultural workers.

2. The Plan includes influencing mental health and well-being services and tackling social and psychological isolation, a particular problem in rural areas of England.

3. The activities that will be given priority are for: * Direct support to the target groups; * Support for building the capacity of organisations to provide support to the target groups; and * Support for work to influence policy decisions and practices relating to the mental health and well being of the target groups.

4. National or local groups or the lead organisation in a partnership may apply. The work of the applicant must include support for rural people who are suffering from, or are at risk of, stress.

5. Proposals for a total of less than £5,000 for the whole proposal or greater than £25,000 in any one year will not be considered.