Thanks to Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Communities Fund, eligible groups will once again be able to apply for a range of grants to help to contribute to meeting their needs.

These include two types of cost-of-living grants aimed at groups who are:

• Helping those who are struggling to buy nutritious food to help improve health and well-being and build resilience. Groups can apply for up to £5,000;

• In need of a contribution towards their own rising energy bills to help keep their welcoming and warm centres and halls open across the county, particularly during the winter months. Once again, groups can apply for up to £5,000.

Groups can also apply for up to £20,000 in capital grants to help towards improvements to facilities that help improve health, wellbeing, and the environment such as improvements to sports facilities, play areas or green spaces.

Revenue grants are also available to help projects with their day-to-day running costs such as paying wages and bills. Groups can apply for up to £5,000, to help access to community-based services for those most in need or for schemes which benefit the environment.

Eligible groups who run holiday play schemes – or who are thinking of running them – are also invited to attend a special online advice session on Thursday 5 October to look at how to apply for council funding.

Anyone interested can sign up for the session here:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/join-our-advice-session-on-ways-to-fund-your-school-holiday-play-schemes-tickets-700128241417?aff=oddtdtcreator

Coun John Cottee, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, welcomed this latest round of funding.

He said: “The work of community groups, voluntary organisations and parish councils help to make our communities an even better place to live, so I’m delighted that the latest round is about to open for several grants.

“Eligible groups have until 24 November to get their applications in.”

Coun Matt Barney, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, added: “As we approach the winter months, we are more aware than ever of the tireless work of these groups. Their work helps improve the health and well-being of our residents who need it the most.”

More than 120 groups have already received cost-of-living grants worth a total of £300,000 from the first two round of these grants.

Eligible groups can apply for all four types of grants to help meet their specific needs in line with the criteria.

Each application will need to clearly explain how the money will be used, if successful.

The deadline for applications is 24 November. For further details of eligibility criteria as well as how to apply go to: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/LCF

For further financial support and advice, check the council’s dedicated cost-of-living support page: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/business-community/cost-of-living-support