Recovery funding for community groups
Charities are also urged to apply for grants
COMMUNITY groups and charities in Charnwood are being encouraged to apply for funding to help them recover from coronavirus pandemic.
The borough council’s Charnwood VCS Covid-19 Recovery grants will help voluntary organisations respond to community needs as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
Community groups and local charities have had to operate differently since lockdown, with some having to temporarily close buildings, stop offering services and adapt the way they support people.
The VCS Covid-19 Recovery Grants programme is aimed at organisations that need additional funding for phased reopening of buildings, restarting or adapting their services.
The new single fund has been created by combining the existing funding for Community Development and Engagement and Loughborough Community Grants.
Coun Leigh Harper-Davies, lead member for communities, said: “We have a fantastic range of community groups, charities and organisations in the borough which we know have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“They deliver a variety of benefits to many of our residents, but many had to stop delivering or adapt their services.
“We hope that by repurposing our grants scheme to create a single pot of money specifically to help the voluntary sector, it will allow more groups and organisations to benefit.
“Funding can be challenging for the voluntary sector and we want to help as many of them as possible either restart their services or support them with changing the way they deliver services to ensure they are meeting government guidance.
“I’d encourage organisations which are eligible and need financial support to look at what’s on offer and consider applying.
“Our neighbourhoods’ team are always on hand to advise and help with your application if you need it.”
Funding previously allocated to the Loughborough Community Grants scheme, raised through the Loughborough Special Rate, will continue to be ringfenced for Loughborough-based organisations applying to the new grant.
The Charnwood VCS COVID19 Recovery grant scheme is open to properly constituted community and voluntary groups for activities not conducted for profit.
The grant scheme will award organisations up to £5,000.
Applications for the Charnwod VCS Covid-19 Recovery grant scheme are now open and the deadline is Friday, August 7.
Application forms and more information is available at https:// www. charnwood. gov. uk/ recovery_grants, email: grants@charnwood.gov.uk or call 01509 634730.