Food Hardship Grant for Community Organisations

The Department for Communities has made available hardship funding to local authorities to support the most vulnerable affected by the cost of living crisis. Council is working with partners in the Anti-Poverty Stakeholder Steering Group to support borough wide services to deal with the increased demand for support through a range of measures.

The purpose of this Grant Programme is to support small localised constituted community and voluntary organisations that are currently supporting residents experiencing food insecurity, and that need additional resources to cope with the increased demand for their services. 

The Programme will assist organisations to support residents through the direct provision of food, hygiene and household essentials through established community food projects such as community food pantries and cupboards.

Applications are invited from constituted community and voluntary organisations that have a track record of working directly with people experiencing disadvantage. These include:

• Food pantries/ cupboards;

• Projects that redistribute food, such as community fridges, to those that need it most in local communities;

• Holiday hunger schemes.

Only those applications which provide a targeted response in relation to food poverty interventions will be considered.

This scheme is for localised food insecurity projects; a separate scheme will operate for larger registered foodbanks that provide regional coverage and so they should not apply through this programme. Due to the one off nature of this funding the grant cannot be used to support the set up of new food projects. That grant is opened on a rolling basis and the fund will close as soon as the available funds are allocated. 

Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,000 towards 100% of eligible costs. Funded activities can take place up to 31st March 2024. Funding should be used for food items and other household and hygiene essentials. A maximum of 10% of the grant awarded can be used for administration costs.

Projects must demonstrate how they will address all of the following 3 objectives:

• Support residents who are experiencing financial difficulty through the provision of food. This may also include hygiene or household essentials;

• Ensure that the support is targeted at those most vulnerable and in need of support;

• Ensure that any food intervention is linked with other support services by signposting or referral (such as benefits and money advice; energy efficiency advice etc)

You are strongly advised to speak to a member of the Community Development team before applying to ensure that your project is eligible.

The team can be contacted as follows:

Limavady, Benbradagh & Ballymoney -                                                                                                                                        

Catherine Farrimond

07846 099916    

catherine.farrimond@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Coleraine, Bann, Causeway & The Glens -                                                                                                                                    

Lisa Harris

lisa.harris@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Neighbourhood Renewal areas in Coleraine & Limavady -  

 Jenni Archer

07892 764937

jenni.archer@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

For detailed guidance notes and application form please apply here:-  https://grants.ccgbcapps.com/

Closing date is 31st August 2023

BHSCT ‘Carer Support Service’ – invite to their Information Sharing Session and launch of grant

The Carers NI State of Caring (2022) report found that 40% of carers said that they had not had a break within the past 12 months, 27% reported their mental health as bad or very bad, rising to 31% for those caring 50+ hours a week and to 32% for those who had been caring for 10 years or more, and almost a quarter - 23% said that they were cutting back on essentials like food and heating to help them cope. Against this backdrop, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) want to ensure that ‘unpaid’ carers are supported and provide a range of services including a small grant set to be launched in December to provide services for carers to the Voluntary & Community. Find out more about the grant and other services at their Information Sharing Session, Thursday 8th December from 12 noon to 1.00pm.

Community and Voluntary Sector Information Sharing Session - 8th December 2022 12 - 1pm (office.com)

Minister announces major new health service support funds

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the establishment of new grant schemes for cancer and mental health charities and a Carers Support Fund.

The Cancer Charities Support Fund and Mental Health Support Fund will each receive £10m, while £4m has been allocated to the Carers Support Fund. The Minister has also allocated £15m to Health Trusts to boost the support available for healthcare workers across Northern Ireland.

The Cancer Charities Support Fund will enable charities to access funding to support cancer services in the community. The Mental Health Support Fund will provide grants to charity organisations who provide interventions to improve the population’s mental health.

For more information please visit https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/minister-announces-major-new-health-service-support-funds

ASDA Foundation's Feeding Communities Grant

Feeding Communities Grant has been designed to help provide meals to anyone in need in the lead up to Christmas. With more local and national lockdowns in place and changes anticipated to the coming weeks, supporting those with food provision is needed more than ever. Communities are struggling, Charites are feeling the pressure, Asda Foundation is providing support.

Meals can be provided for individuals, families, meals at children’s healthy holiday clubs. This guide is to assist and support you through the application process. The Community Champion in your local store is also able to support you in completing your application.

Please do not go into store to ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues during this ,me. Please call, email or zoom Community Champions for support.

Each year, Asda Foundation support local grass roots organisations to transform communities and improve the lives of people living within the Asda community. We welcome applications from groups which:

• Benefits their local community

• Are local to an Asda store

• Unites communities with activities and support

• Ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to become involved

Each store has a Community Champion, their role is to support projects within the community and support bringing people together. They manage all applications for Asda Foundation grants.

Asda Foundation do not accept applications sent directly from community groups. Please use the store locator link on the Asda Foundation website www.asdafoundation.org to get in touch with your local store, and speak to your Community Champion about how we might be able to support you.

Feeding Communities Grant

• Maximum £1,000 per grant.

• Per meal maximum cost £4.00 (can be lower than this)

• We will not contribute towards meals which cost more than £4.

• No quotes needed

• All requests must include a bank statement as proof of payee name

• We will fund groups who have already received funding from Asda Foundation in 2020

• All groups must be not for profit, we do not fund groups who deliver a service to make a profit.

For more information please visit https://www.asdafoundation.org/how-to-apply

The Alpkit Foundation: COVID-19 Support

The Alpkit Foundation supports projects that champion education, participation, environment, diversity and health. The Foundation is currently prioritising their funds to support projects that demonstrate an immediate impact on those affected by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic with grants of up to £500.

Who Can Apply

Organisations and individuals serving those affected by the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak in the UK may apply.

Restrictions

Applicants are advised to contact the funder to confirm whether restrictions apply.

Eligible Expenditure

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Being active in local communities to help elderly or vulnerable people.

• Minimising the impact of self-isolation for those in quarantine and need access to food, medicines or social care.

• Supporting foodbanks and increasing the number of meals on wheels deliveries to support the elderly.

• Supporting those who are homeless or in temporary accommodation.

• Bringing adventure indoors and overcoming the obstacles that prevent people benefiting from going outdoors.

How To Apply

The scheme is now open for applications. Applications can be submitted at any time via Alpkit Foundation’s online form, which can be found on their website.

https://alpkit.com/blogs/foundation/adapting-to-the-coranavirus-crisis

Plunkett Foundation Help for Rural Community Businesses

A dedicated programme of support has been launched by the Plunkett Foundation to help rural community businesses across the UK as they battle the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus lockdown.

Thanks to funding from the Co-op, Plunkett will offer a dedicated package of free Covid-19 support for open and trading community businesses, as well as those developing groups that have been affected by the pandemic.

The new scheme will focus on getting one-to-one support to groups that need it the most. This will include free practical support from Plunkett’s national network of specialist community businesses advisers. All forms of community business – including woodlands, farms, bakeries, pubs and shops – will be able to get support, advice and guidance on a range of issues such as; developing short – medium term cash flow, reviewing business plans, applying for funding, upholding good practice governance, utilising community shares and accessing government support.

Those developing groups that were working towards opening their business will also be able to access adviser support to help these projects navigate this challenge.

As a core part of all Plunkett operations, peer learning will be proactively encouraged and community businesses will be linked up with each other to share experiences and stories of what they are doing, how they are responding to Covid-19 and what innovative practises have been introduced.

Plunkett’s chief executive James Alcock said: “We are grateful to the Co-op for recognising the crucial role that all types of community businesses play in rural areas, and for supporting Plunkett at this critical time when community businesses most need our support. The coronavirus lockdown has had a wide and varied effect on our members – some have experienced a surge in demand but a reduction in volunteers, whilst others have been forced to close their doors, and many have diversified and adapted the services they offer to meet local need and recruit whole new armies of volunteers. Above all, those involved in running community businesses have been faced with unprecedented challenges and unfamiliar and difficult decisions to make, making this new support from Co-op so vital. “This new support will not only help community businesses, but it will help the many thousands of people in rural areas who rely heavily on the services they offer. Plunkett and our network of Advisers want to ensure these businesses will not just survive but continue to thrive in the future.”

Co-operative Partnerships Manager Edward Powell said: “‘The Plunkett Foundation has supported almost 600 community businesses across some of the most rural and isolated communities in the UK, helping not only to safeguard valuable assets but to deliver food and be leading hubs of voluntary responses to Covid-19. “The Co-op have always supported other co-operatives and community businesses with co-operation at their heart. By helping the Plunkett Foundation support community businesses to adapt to the challenges of the crisis, we can together help to save these vital hubs, so communities can work together to address the needs of their communities. That is co-operation in action.”

For more information on Plunkett’s Covid-19 Support contact us directly via info@plunkett.co.uk / 01993 810 730. Plunkett has a dedicated Covid-19 live page, which is regularly updated with the latest advice and guidance for community businesses. Pub and shop groups can also share information in the Community Shop and Community Pub networks on Facebook.

https://plunkett.co.uk/new-support-available-now/

Communities Minister Launches £1.5m Support Fund for Arts Sector

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has announced funding of £1.5m to support individuals and organisations in the Arts Sector in response to COVID-19.

‘The Creative Support Fund’, has been created to provide financial support for a diverse range of performing artists and community art organisations.

Individual artists and creative practitioners, who have lost their work as a result of COVID-19, can apply for funding of up to £5,000 to take new and innovative approaches in continuing to provide their talents and services to audiences, particularly those facing barriers to the arts.

Small and medium-sized organisations will be able to apply for maximum funding of £25,000 to help them develop new projects or programmes or re-arrange events which have had to be cancelled during the COVID-19 period.

Minister Hargey said:

“These two programmes will provide a significant and welcome source of assistance to individuals and organisations in the Arts Sector, which plays a crucial role in our economy and contributes greatly to the mental wellbeing of our communities.

“As a result of this pandemic they do not have opportunities to work in their usual way that is why I am pleased to be able to support them through this ‘Creative Support Fund’. It will provide them with the means to find different ways of engaging with audiences across a range of platforms and ensure arts services are not withdrawn from the public at this crucial time.”

The Creative Support Fund will be administered by the Arts Council NI who are contributing £500k of Lottery Funding to the initiative. The Individual Artists and Creative Practitioners Programme will be available immediately.

To find out more about the criteria and to apply, visit www.artscouncil-ni.org

Slieve Kirk Wind Park launches £50,000 Covid-19 Response Fund

THE owners of a wind farm in Derry have launched a £50,000 response fund to support community groups living within 12 miles of the facility to help support those most in need as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The money is being made available by SSE Airtricity, which owns the 32-turbine Slieve Kirk wind park at Lisdillon Road at Ardmore, near Strabane.

The cash is being released immediately from the overall Slieve Kirk wind park annual community fund to support rapid response initiatives that are currently being mobilised, as well as for projects to help rebuild the community in the months ahead.

Michelle Donnelly, community development officer for Slieve Kirk wind park, said: “From the outset of this emergency, community and voluntary groups have responded remarkably to provide services and support for the vulnerable in our society.

“From the smallest gestures, such as calling those living alone, to more organised and larger-scale home delivery efforts, volunteers are making a real difference to people, especially the elderly or unwell.

The funding is available to volunteer-led community groups delivering Covid-19 response activities to communities and individuals living within 12 miles of Slieve Kirk.

To Apply

Applications will be assessed on a first-come basis and will be instantly processed to ensure funding reaches the communities in need as quickly as possible.

Groups wishing to apply for funding can download forms from https://ireland.sse.com/what-we-do/our-projects-and-assets/renewable/slieve-kirk-wind-park/

Email communityfundireland@sse.com, or call Michelle Donnelly on 079 21099663.

Small grants available in rural Mid Ulster

Small Grants for Un-constituted Groups

Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network (CWSAN) is providing a limited number of small grants of £150 each to assist very localised and isolated communities in rural areas throughout Mid Ulster.

CWSAN is also offering advice on access to other regional funds.

If you are aware of another grant and need assistance please discuss with us directly and we shall endeavour to help.

To Apply

Call Conor on 07384356675

Neighbourly Community Fund - helping communities affected by the new Coronavirus outbreak

With the support of our partner businesses M&S, Lidl, Aldi, Danone and Coca-Cola European Partners, Neighbourly are launching a series of micro-grants of up to £400, to support good causes that are helping communities affected by the new Coronavirus outbreak.

Grants will be awarded to existing members of Neighbourly in UK and Ireland whose work will involve supporting members of the community suffering economically, socially or from ill health as a result of the outbreak. This may include, but not be limited to, elderly people, those on low incomes and people at risk of food insecurity.

Grants are unrestricted and can go towards food provision, emergency supplies, practical support, running costs, transport and other essentials.

For more information please visit https://www.neighbourly.com/NeighbourlyCommunityFund

National Emergencies Trust launches appeal to help Civic Society support those affected by the Coronavirus outbreak

The National Emergencies Trust has launched an appeal to raise funds to help local charities support those individuals suffering hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The appeal has been launched with the support of media, business and governmental organisations, and in partnership with the British Red Cross who will be managing donations. The Trust will then award grants to ensure the funds reach those who need it most across the UK.

Donations can be made at: www.nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk.

Or through the following on-line giving platforms: Just Giving, Go Fund Me, Virgin Money Gives, Good Launch, Muslim Giving.

The National Emergencies Trust will distribute money raised through a number of charitable organisations, for example, local Community Foundations, to ensure it reaches those who need it most.

Those partners will work within parameters agreed with NET to help identify the greatest need and distribute funds with both care and speed wherever possible.

This partnership network has been created by the NET since it was set up last year, in response to recommendations by the Charity Commission following a series of UK emergencies in 2017. The public can be confident that funds will only be granted to trusted organisations who know best the needs of their local communities.

Individuals and charities should not apply directly to the NET for funds. Local charities should contact their local Community Foundation to apply for funding.