Cash boost for community groups during Covid crisis

An extra £50,000 is being allocated to groups across Derbyshire who are supporting local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Derbyshire County Council is making the money available to local community groups via the Public Health COVID-19 fund, which was set up in June.

It will be allocated to a number of local Derbyshire organisations who have supported the health and wellbeing of local residents, including some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Councillor Carol Hart, Cabinet Member for Communities and Health, said: “The response to the pandemic has seen many organisations across Derbyshire working tirelessly to ensure the basic needs of the most vulnerable residents are met.

“The Covid 19 fund was set up to ensure that community and voluntary organisations had enough resource to carry on with their vital work.”

The council has already allocated £50,000 from the Public Health COVID-19 fund to 30 groups across the county and the extra funding will allow more work to be carried out.

A wide range of organisations have already benefited including parent’s associations, BAME groups, older people’s charities and churches.

Councillor Hart added: “This additional funding will enable more groups to carry out work within their local communities.

“We’ve already seen some amazing work being carried out including food parcels for vulnerable people, a community café being set up and support for students.”

The Public Health COVID-19 Fund was set up to support voluntary and community sector organisations in help manage and reduce the impact of COVID19 on local communities. It also aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of local populations.

Funding of up to a maximum value of £2,000 is available for constituted groups and £250 for non-constituted groups.

To find out more about how to apply for a grant, visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/covidfund

Applications must be linked to an existing Public Health programme, for example to support mental health and emotional wellbeing or to tackle social isolation.