Nottinghamshire County Council’s £1m COVID-19 Community Fund is set to continue to support vulnerable residents impacted by the pandemic.

Last week, the Communities and Place Committee gave the go ahead to keep the Fund open to support local community and voluntary groups as they respond to exceptional challenges during the third national lockdown.

The Fund, which was due to close on 1 January, will now remain open until 31 March. Since March 2020, more than £772,600 has been awarded to 285 projects.

Established local charities and voluntary groups, including faith-based organisations, as well as district, borough or parish or town councils taking an active role in responding to the urgent needs of Nottinghamshire residents can apply for up to £10,000. The Fund will continue to operate with the same criteria as before. Check the eligibility criteria and apply here.

Local groups who have already been awarded grants include:

• Cornwater Evergreens Foundation Trust, Newstead, received £3,500 to help support local older people, including those with early stage dementia, by providing cooked meals, food shopping, collecting medication and through regular telephone contact.

• Radcliffe on Trent Parish Council, allocated £5,000 toward its work providing a lifeline to residents such as access to food, medicine and supporting wellbeing.

• North Muskham Parish Council, awarded £5,000 to support a local buddy scheme offering weekly shopping, prescription delivery and social contact and support to households most in need.

• Mansfield and District Samaritans, awarded £2,000 to keep their branch running and their phone lines working to support vulnerable and isolated people struggling to cope

• Age Concern in Mansfield, awarded £2,500 to assist in the coordination of its service which offers emotional support and guidance

• Storehouse – Kirkby Foodbank, awarded £5,000 to continue its essential foodbank service

• Community Volunteer Services (CVS) across Newark & Sherwood, Rushcliffe, Gedling, Mansfield and Bassetlaw areas 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 Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The Community Fund has been a lifeline for charities across Nottinghamshire and I am delighted that we are keeping it open. With more than £220,000 in funding available, we want to reach the most deserving essential services in Nottinghamshire who have been impacted by COVID-19.

“I want to personally say thank you for the hard work and dedication of local organisations, groups and charities that have made a real difference to thousands of people’s lives over the last 10 months.

Coun John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities and Place Committee added: “The Community Fund has played a key part in the council’s response to supporting communities as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. This funding has enabled those groups already doing excellent work in our communities to go above and beyond in providing additional care and support to residents.”

Those successful in getting funding will have their groups details published on www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/coronavirus/nottinghamshire-coronavirus-community-support-hub

For further information about the funding, email LIS@nottscc.gov.uk or call 0115 977 2041.

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