The first batch of Nottinghamshire County Council funding worth more than £260,000 has already been awarded to 85 groups helping vulnerable 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.

The council said 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 the 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.

Council leader Coun Kay Cutts 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:

• 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.

Coun 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, email LIS@nottscc.gov.uk or call 0115 977 2041.

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