Community and voluntary organisations working to support the most vulnerable residents of Brighton & Hove will receive help from the council’s new Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency fund.
A total of £150,000 has been put forward by the council in an effort to support the organisations facing unexpected costs as a result of the current situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak. This applies to the organisation or the residents they are working with.
Councillor Alan Robins, chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture committee, said:
“Everyone is pulling together at this time, and we want to provide financial support to those community groups who are doing a fantastic job helping to support vulnerable people across the city.”
The funding won’t happen all at once, and will instead be released in three steps. £50,000 will be available immediately, with the rest becoming available as and when needed depending on the ever-changing nature of this emergency. The source of the funding is the council’s Third Sector Investment Programme.
Community and voluntary organisations can apply for grants of up to £5000 in Brighton & Hove. The first phase of funding is being prioritised for organisations that are focused on helping the most vulnerable residents who may miss out on other forms of support.
What types of groups could benefit?
As stated by Brighton & Hove City Council, the following are examples of groups that could benefit from the new emergency fund:
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“A service which supports people who are vulnerable with other underlying health conditions, including disabilities or mental health conditions
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A service which supports younger residents who are vulnerable through their lifestyles
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A service supports residents who are vulnerable through their social circumstances, including their accommodation.”
What will the council be funding?
The council has also laid out exactly what they’ll be putting the money towards:
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“Organisational running costs including volunteer expenses, transport, staff costs
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Small capital costs that support organisational delivery during the emergency
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Specific costs that enable the organisation to adapt the delivery of services during the emergency.”
How to apply:
For details of how to apply, please visit the council’s Communities Fund page.
The council are making this fund a top priority and aim to relay decisions within two to three weeks of receiving applications.
For more information, visit the council’s website.
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