£445k to help most vulnerable in county
CRISIS FUNDING TO HELP CHARITIES EXPAND SERVICES
supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence across Leicestershire have been allocated £445,000 in emergency funding to expand their work throughout the coronavirus crisis.
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office (PCC) received funding from the government in recognition of the soaring demand for support services during the pandemic from victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and modern slavery.
It is part of a £750 million fund from the government to help providers meet the challenges of an increased workload and changes to the way they operate.
Following a competitive application process, PCC Lord (Willy) Bach has allocated 21 grants to charities and non-profit organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to help them meet the additional costs of expanding services and adapt to social distancing rules.
Among the organisations that successfully applied for support is the Adhar Project, the only BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) mental health charity in the county.
It has been earmarked £70,365 to fund IT/mobile phone equipment, increased counselling hours, mindfulness sessions, clinical supervisions and staff training.
Meanwhile, Catch 22 has been allocated £24,430 to support adults and young people impacted by domestic abuse through online counselling and also to run a social media marketing campaign to raise awareness of the service.
The charity will receive a further grant of £14,509 to deliver the same provision for victims of sexual violence. Lord Bach said: “This funding will help us meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people within our communities. The health crisis has placed many victims in a desperate position and it has been critical the support services that exist for their safety continue. “Across Leicestershire, charities and non-profit organisations have been working around the clock to protect victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse and ensure a listening ear and practical help is available whenever and wherever it is needed. “Demand is expected to rocket, which has placed an extra financial burden on organisations that rely on pubCHARITIES lic funding to keep going. This funding is desperately needed to manage that demand and offer safe accommodation to all who need it. However, I’m well aware this is an issue that will not go away after October 31, when the funding period ends, and that further support will be necessary in the future.”
The funding must be used by October 31 and directly relate to services provided during the pandemic.
It can be used to address shortterm income disruption, meet essential costs to sustain current activities, fund additional staff to cover employees self-isolating or unable to work during the pandemic and to expand services to cope with increased demand.