The Council has received additional funding of over £147,000 from the Department for Communities (DfC) under the Covid-19 Community Support Programme. In order to recognise current COVID-19 recovery needs the Council conducted a community survey targeted at Community and Voluntary Groups across the Borough to ensure that the funding from DfC would be directly targeting community needs. Through the responses received, it was identified that the main priorities for the funding included;
- Provision of mental health programmes,
- Food and essential supplies
- Capacity building
- Tackling fuel poverty
In line with the objectives of the Councils Corporate Recovery Plan and the Department for Communities Community Support Programme, funding will be made available to community/voluntary groups to provide support for mental health initiatives and connectivity programmes with vulnerable and isolated citizens, and to deliver engagement events and to support those experiencing fuel poverty.
There are two strands to this fund and up to a maximum of £4,000 can be applied for as follows:
- Community Recovery Programme - £2,000 e.g. programmes/initiatives to encourage the local community to re-engage following the Covid-19 pandemic such as capacity building, events, talks and tours.
- Tackling Fuel Poverty Programme - £2,000 e.g. programmes/initiatives to help keep people warm over the winter months with the increasing cost of energy bills, targeting the most vulnerable including children and young people; carers; older people; people living with a disability and anyone who has lost income as a result of Covid-19.
Applications are now open until Friday 3 December 2021 at 4pm, all community/voluntary groups are eligible to apply. For applications please visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/grants
For any queries or further information on this fund please email kerry.brady@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk or jonathan.henderson@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
Further funding of £51,651 was also received from DfC’s Financial Inclusion Fund to deliver a programme to help build financial resilience and improve overall financial wellbeing through access to money management, promoting savings and linking into holistic debt and income maximisation advice. Community Advice Antrim and Newtownabbey (CAAN) delivered this programme on behalf of Council in 2020/21 with outstanding achievements, and it is proposed that through this additional funding they can continue to provide this support for 2021/2022.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb said:
“I am pleased the Council has received this additional funding which will support the community and voluntary groups throughout the Borough and allow them to continue their vital services as part of COVID-19 recovery.”