The first batch of County Council funding worth more than £260,000 has already been awarded to 85 groups helping vulnerable Nottinghamshire residents through the COVID-19 crisis, and there is more to come.
The Nottinghamshire £1m Community Fund forms part of the Council’s response to provide advice and support for communities during the coronavirus outbreak.
Grant applications have been dealt with as quickly as possible to help with the costs of delivering essential local support to those most affected by this public health emergency, such as collecting and delivering food and medicines for people who are self-isolating and people who can’t leave their homes.
Charities, voluntary and faith groups are working hard to support vulnerable residents impacted by COVID-19 with local parish and town councils acting as umbrella organisations for many smaller local groups, and coordinating help across their parishes.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader, Cllr Kay Cutts, MBE said,
“I’m very pleased to announce the first batch of funding which will help groups continue this vital work to maintain the morale and well-being of our communities.
“I continue to be amazed by the response shown by local volunteer groups. I’m so proud Nottinghamshire is working together to support those most affected.
“Up and down the county, volunteers are cooking and delivering meals, helping with food shopping and other essentials, collecting and delivering prescriptions, or helping keep someone’s spirits up via a phone chat.”
“If you have applied and haven’t heard from us yet, don’t worry, we will be in contact as soon as we can. We are fast-tracking applications and allocating grants on a daily basis.”
Eligible groups can apply for up to £10,000. Grants allocated so far have included:
• Lowdham Volunteers/ Lowdham Parish Council – will use its £6,500 grant to continue its work to help vulnerable residents with shopping, delivery of prescriptions, a phone support network and delivery of cooked meals provided by local restaurants.
• Radcliffe on Trent Parish Council has been allocated £5,000 to continue its work leading and recruiting a bank of local volunteers who are providing a lifeline to local residents such as access to food and medicine and supporting wellbeing.
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Beeston has been awarded £5,764 so staff can provide vital advice and help to the public during the crisis.
• Clay Responders 2020 has received £10,000 (in total) to help meet running costs as part of its 125 person-strong volunteer operation covering the Sturton ward area of Bassetlaw (Sturton Le Steeple and Habblesthorpe Parish Councils).
• Community Volunteer Services (CVS) across Newark & Sherwood, Rushcliffe, Gedling, Mansfield and Bassetlaw areas have received a total of £24,545 to help deliver a volunteer-led shopping and prescription collection scheme, a telephone-based service offering ‘friendship and support’ to maintain social contact during isolation, and help recruit new local volunteers.
• Hucknall Engage, run by the Churches of Hucknall, Lindy and Papplewick has been allocated £5,000 to help to continue to support and expand its foodbank service to more than 100 vulnerable families who have been referred to the group.
• The Kirkby Storehouse, run by Kirkby in Ashfield churches,has been awarded £5,000 to help continue its essential foodbank service and purchase disposable gloves, packaging, stationery and other running costs.
• Mansfield St John Ambulance – plan to use its £7,000 grant towards purchasing first aid equipment such as bandages, oxygen, defibrillator and first aid kits, allowing their volunteers access to all the equipment they need to provide support the NHS and emergency services at these extraordinary times.
• The Netherfield Forum has been awarded £5,000 to continue to provide the community with daytime hot lunches, freshly cooked daily by a small team of staff and trustees, delivered by local volunteers. The Forum are also providing emergency ‘rescue packs’ to those in need, such as food, toiletries, and other essentials.
Tina Simpson, based at the St George’s Centre, is leading the small team at the Netherfield Forum who are cooking and delivering up to 400 meals a week to vulnerable residents.
Tina said “Times are worrying, but humanity is an amazing thing in a crisis. We all come together and become more respectful and kind.
“Every day we are cooking wholesome hot food for collection or delivery to the most vulnerable. We are getting so many positive comments back from residents of all ages.”
Councillor Cutts continued, “Our priority is to continue to approve grant applications from voluntary projects that are already set up so we help them continue this essential work in the challenging months ahead. “
This funding is designed to support parish councils serving their local areas, local charities, voluntary groups, faith-based organisations, and other community groups taking an active role in responding to emerging needs in Nottinghamshire communities as a result of COVID-19.
Those successful in getting funding will have their groups details published on the www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/coronaviruscommunityhub
To apply for emergency community funding, go to our dedicated COVID-19 web pages at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/communityfund.
For further information about the funding, please email [email protected] or call 0115 977 2041.