The Covid-19 Partnership Social Recovery Fund was launched last June with a budget of £1m to be shared among charities and projects which offer a lifeline to residents most in need.

To date, funding totalling £915,797 has been given to organisations in Nottinghamshire following approval by the County Council’s Communities Committee.

The remaining £84,203 from the fund has been set aside for the latest round of spending, which was approved by the committee – when the extra £500,000 for the remainder of the financial year was also given the green light.

Coun John Cottee, chairman of the Communities Committee, welcomed news of the proposed cash boost and said he was delighted the fund had been able to provide much-needed support during the pandemic.

He said: “The past two years have been extremely difficult for all of us, but more so for the more vulnerable members of our society – some of whom are dependent on charities and organisations which provide them with a vital lifeline.

“I am delighted a further £500,000 will be set aside for the Covid-19 Partnership Social Recovery Fund and I look forward to us receiving applications from the fantastic charities and organisations in Nottinghamshire that constantly go above and beyond to help others in their communities.

“I would also like to thank the charities and organisations that have taken the time to put together application bids for the latest round of funding, which we discussed this morning, and would like to wish them every success for the future.”

In addition to approving funding worth £77,298 for the Covid-19 Partnership Social Recovery Fund, the Communities Committee also discussed giving £213,261 from the County Council’s Community Hub Food Plan Fund to 13 good causes countywide.

One project from the Mansfield and Ashfield area will receive money from the Covid-19 Partnership Social Recovery Fund

• £7,600 – Mansfield CVS – the funding is for a consultant to work countywide, as part of a multi-agency approach to map support and services available for residents experiencing financial difficulties. Money will also cover venue hire and marketing and operational costs.

A further £6,905 of funding for applications under £5,000 for the Covid-19 Partnership Social Recovery Fund had already been approved.

Here’s a full list of the projects from the Mansfield and Ashfield areas, which receive money from the Community Hub Food Plan Fund

• £34,339 – Mansfield District Council – to fund a food coordinator post to build on the work of the Feeding Mansfield Network.
• £29,246 – Mansfield Play Forum – to help deliver three elements of the Work to feed Mansfield programme – chill out, eat well and play well – at four locations.
• £22,983 – Feel Good Gardens CIC, Kings Clipstone – to fund the creation and coordination of the Nottinghamshire Community Garden Network, which includes 20 projects across north Nottinghamshire.
• £17,038 – Tin Hat Centre, Selston – the money will be used to cover foodbank costs as well as pay for ingredients, transport, and demonstrations for the Healthy Food 4 All project’s hot meals service.
• £11,979 – Kingsway Hall Management trust CIO, Forest Town – to fund the expansion of an existing older people’s lunch club, providing a hot two-course meal each week.

A further £14,144 of funding for applications under £5,000 for the Community Hub Food Plan Fund had already been approved.