Responding to the changing needs of our customers, we have expanded our grants programme to offer financial support for organisations and community groups providing help for our neighbourhoods.
With lockdown putting a strain on people’s finances, we have helped customers in crisis by issuing more than 600 crisis and hardship grants to households across the South West.
Having recognised the challenges faces by our customers, the aim of the emergency grants were to provide support for people in a crisis situation or struggling.
Now we are widening our programme and inviting applications from charities, residents’ associations, community groups and partnerships who benefit our residents.
We are specifically looking for projects, activities or events which aim to improve the quality of our residents’ lives, help to build strong communities, or improve the health, skills or employment prospects of individuals.
Application will be open until the end of September.
Our Grants Manager, Tim Wotton, said: “There are some urgent needs and activities we are keen to support.
“Things might already be up and running but need more funding to increase opportunities or groups might be just coming together with ideas, but we want to hear from our customers or organisations working with our customers who can help address holiday hunger, services for young people, things that improve communities and their sense of pride and cohesion.”
Some of the areas and groups we are seeking to support include:
Access to food
Throughout lockdown, we have supported food projects across the region and donated £22,000 to food banks.
We stepped in after recognising that the outbreak of coronavirus has affected food bank’s ability to meet the increasing need, due to decreased numbers of volunteers and a reduction in donations.
Now are supporting groups or local responses ensuring that those struggling have access to food over the summer period.
Young people
We know that for many young people a lack of organised activities or local affordable opportunities can lead to boredom and frustrations.
We want to make funding available to support activities which will engage young people in constructive activities over the summer.
Community pride
We want to support initiatives which help improve the look, feel or use of areas with LiveWest neighbourhoods.
Work outside of the above priorities will be considered under our small grants programme which limits awards to under £1,000.
Head to our grants page to find out more.