Posted on 19th Jul
Ashfield District Council has provided a total of more than £100,000 funding to over 45 organisations throughout the coronavirus pandemic, supporting residents in need during the past year.
The help included grants to food banks, providing a buddy service to help vulnerable residents with shopping and medication delivery, as well as offering advice to those suffering financially due to the pandemic.
Money from the council grant schemes and Nottinghamshire County Council grant funding has helped the likes of Ashfield Citizens Advice, Our Centre, Under 1 Roof, Let’s All Eat Foodbank and Charity without Borders.
Coun Kier Barsby, cabinet member for health and leisure, said: “It is fantastic that the council has been able to support so many local community organisations over the past 12 months. These organisations are the backbone to our communities and during the pandemic they have been a lifeline to many across the district.
“Grant funding the council issues allows organisations, groups and volunteers to continue their amazing work. Whether it be support with food and shopping, housing and financial advice or providing welfare calls, this is vital support needed within our communities.”
Some of the people helped by the grants include:
Our Centre, Kirkby – received funding to help support their buddy service. The service provided vulnerable residents with weekly calls, shopping services, delivering medication, posting mail and liaising with family members who live out of area and were anxious about their vulnerable relatives plus much more. They have been able to provide a vital service to vulnerable residents, alleviating much of the worry that came from lockdown. 257 people have benefited directly from the grant.
Ashfield Citizens Advice – offering help and advice on debt, housing, benefits, employment, energy and much more, Ashfield Citizens Advice has seen an increase in contacts since the start of the pandemic. A large number of residents have contacted them for advice on furlough and redundancy, with many people finding themselves out of work for the first time. Housing and debt advice have also formed a large part of their work since the start of lockdown. The funding they have received has enabled them to continue to offer advice to residents across the District.
Coun Barsby added: “Residents have found themselves in situations they have never been in before. Whether they need advice on debt or help feeding their families, the grant funding has meant that some of the most vulnerable in our districts have received the help and support they need. These organisations do a fantastic job and I am proud that grants provided by the council can help them continue in their amazing work.”
