Nearly £400,000 of cash for voluntary organisations is being given out by Southwark Council during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The new community fund has a total of £390,000 for charities and community groups that help the most vulnerable and at-risk of COVID-19, and organisations struggling financially during the outbreak.
£100,000 will be available each month up until the end of July 2020. Groups can apply more than once.
Registered charities and other voluntary groups are eligible.
The applications are being assessed and managed by the council in partnership with Community Southwark, an umbrella group that brings the borough’s voluntary organisations together and offers support and advice.
The first round of applications are open until Monday, April 13. Assessments will take three working days with funds, if successful, arranged as soon as possible.
Councillor Victoria Mills, cabinet member for finance, performance and Brexit, said: “The voluntary sector will be crucial to us in the coming weeks and months as we protect the most vulnerable within our society.
“The funds will be used to help the voluntary sector provide a wide range of essential deliveries, advice and support, especially to those identified by the government as being particularly exposed to the effects of the virus.
“This initial injection of funds supplements the significant investment that the council already makes in the voluntary sector.
“If necessary, more funds will need to be allocated to maintain the safety of our residents.
“We will continue to work with the government to ensure that they recognise these needs, and where appropriate, provide the necessary money.”
Apply here: https://www.southwark.gov.uk/covid19grant