Vital community support groups are set to receive a huge boost to funding as the community grants scheme relaunches for another round of bidding.
Following a positive appraisal of the efficacy of the scheme so far, a further allocation of £20,000 was approved by Fylde Council to be made available to voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations. Added to the remaining £10,000 already banked with the Council for Voluntary Services from previous rounds, this funding package will empower these charitable groups to better help those hardest hit by coronavirus.
Organisations will be able to bid for funds from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £5,000 for projects which:
- Help residents struggling with food and essentials
- Help residents access longer term support, such as benefits, debt, or employment advice
- Provide emotional and mental health support
- Help address social isolation
- Demonstrate how people would benefit from the funds
An independent evaluation by Trueman Change identified the tremendous success of the previous phases of the scheme. The clear, simple bidding process was found to have been highly effective in swiftly getting aid to vulnerable persons across the region, as well as helping community support groups themselves survive and develop a strong network throughout an exceptionally challenging time.
Councillor Thomas Threlfall, Chair of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee, said: “The Council is delighted to support a further award of grants to the voluntary community and faith sector, in order to support the most vulnerable within our communities. Having supported the hugely successful previous phases of this grant scheme, it gives me great pleasure to endorse the Council’s further financial backing of the project.”
This latest stage of the scheme will be another partnership between Fylde Council, Wyre Council and the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Council of Voluntary Services. Guidance on how to apply can be found on the CVS website: COVID Response Fund Grants – Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde | CVS (cvsbwf.org)
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