Groups urged to bid for emergency support funds

LOCAL London Assembly Member, Onkar Sahota AM, is calling upon struggling civic society organisations across Ealing and Hillingdon to bid for a share of a new Covid-19 emergency support fund, backed by City Hall.

With applications now open, Dr Sahota said that the work of local community and voluntary organisations is “more important than ever” to support vulnerable people in the borough.

City Hall is working in partnership to deliver the emergency support package with City Bridge Trust, London Funders and several other cross-sector organisations, providing a fifth of the £5 million of funding that has been made available.

This will be targeted at supporting civil society organisations across the capital that have been placed under pressure by the Covid-19 outbreak and to mitigate the impacts of increased demand on their services, a rise in staff and volunteer absences and reduced fundraising activities.

The first round of funding, which will offer grants of up to £5,000, is being specifically targeted at civil society groups focussing on the provision of food supplies and essentials to those most in need.

Eligible local organisations can now apply for the fund through the London Community Response Fund website.

The Mayor of London has also launched a dedicated section on the Greater London Authority (GLA) website to provide advice and details of opportunities to those looking to volunteer to bolster the community response to the outbreak over the coming months.

Local London Assembly Member, Onkar Sahota AM, said: “This is a really tough time for everybody, but especially the vulnerable, so the work of community and voluntary organisations is now more important than ever.

“There are thousands of vulnerable people in our borough that are reliant on the services of these groups, from their support for those on low incomes to their work to reach out to victims of domestic abuse.

“In a whole host of ways, the Covid-19 outbreak has put civil society organisations under intense pressures. This is why I am urging eligible local groups to bid for a share of this emergency support fund.

“In addition, I would encourage all Londoners, who are in a position to do so, to find ways that they can help in their communities through the GLA’s dedicated volunteering page”.