Community projects and voluntary groups tackling loneliness in Wirral are being encouraged to apply for a share of a new £4 million fund.
Book clubs, walking groups and other community projects will be able to apply for the new Local Connections Fund from 5 January, following a grant of £2 million from the Government and £2 million from The National Lottery. It is hoped the fund will generate hundreds of applications for small grants worth between £300 and £2,500.
Councillor Lesley Rennie (Conservative, Wallasey Ward) said: “There are voluntary groups across Wirral that have supported those who have been most affected by the pandemic with the effects of loneliness and isolation. Their work could easily go unnoticed by the wider community but, for many, it has been a lifeline.
“At the same time, they have been unable to carry out their usual fundraising to cover the costs of their work and so this new fund could not have come at a better time. I would urge the organisers and the treasurers of any community group in Wirral to take a look at this fund and see if they could benefit from a helping hand of £300 or more.
Su Moore, Stronger Communities Director at the Jo Cox Foundation, added: “The power of connection is a thread that runs through the work of the Jo Cox Foundation. Throughout 2020, we’ve seen our Great Get Together and More in Common community organisers mobilise to support their neighbours, to tackle loneliness. Local people understand the issues in their communities, and by supporting them, we can make a real difference.
The Local Connections Fund will be split into two rounds of funding – each with its own application window, one in January 2021 and one in the summer 2021.
Funding will be available to small charities and community groups in England with an annual income of £50,000 or less, which are working to reduce loneliness by helping people feel more connected.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will provide the first round of funding, totalling £2 million, and this will open for applications on 5 January 2021.
More information here: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/local-connections-fund