
To date, Lincolnshire Community Foundation, in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, has distributed £70,000 on behalf of DEFRA to local groups, charities and organisations working to combat the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on those who are vulnerable.
Some of the successful applicants include Hogsthorope Good Neighbour Scheme and Age UK Lindsey to support digital inclusion; Storehouse Church, Skegness will provide an advice service; Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes towards increased overheads; Rotary Club (Skegness) to enable Christmas activities for children in 9 Primary Schools; Sage Gardener Lincoln offering activities for those who are lonely or isolated; Stepping Stone Theatre, Gainsborough towards their lockdown legacy project for people with mental health difficulties, EDAN Lincs to help victims of domestic abuse; telephone befriending for people who are visually impaired.
Groups can apply for up to £5,000 to support the ongoing needs of vulnerable people and successful projects might include those that address: loneliness and isolation, mental health support, financial hardship, digital exclusion, telephone befriending etc. Applicants can also ask for a contribution towards their core costs and overheads.
We are still keen to hear from new and emerging Covid-19 response groups working to help local residents who are shielding or self isolating during lockdown. Please get in touch to find out more.
Eligibility: Not for profit community groups, PTAs, social enterprises, community interest companies that have a governing document, accounts, bank account and relevant policies and procedures. Parish and town councils can also apply, provided the funded activity is not part of their statutory duty. New groups can ask a trusted partner to hold funds, should they be successful.
This is a rolling program with decisions notified within 4 weeks. The next panel meeting is on 15 January 2021 and bids received prior to 7 January will be discussed at that meeting. To obtain an Application Form or to chat about your project, please contact Sue Fortune 01529 305825 or download details from the Grants Page @ lincolnshirecf.co.uk
Sue Fortune, Foundation CEO says: “The ongoing pressure on our voluntary and community sector, given the current circumstances, may mean they are struggling to cover the cost of delivering vital support to those who need it the most. I would encourage groups to get in touch to have a word to see whether this fund might help alleviate the financial burden. Staff are here to help”.