Commissioner’s Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund helping where it is needed most

Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall’s new COVID-19 Community Recovery Fund for local charities and communities groups recently awarded £83,002.55 to help local charities and community groups cope with the financial impact of COVID-19.

Peter McCall comments: “Over the last few months, the co-operation and determination of Cumbrian residents and the amazing levels of additional work that has been willingly given from local charities and community groups has been an inspiration. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have worked selflessly to support our communities.

“Additional demands and costs, caused as a result of lockdown restrictions, have meant that many organisations are now struggling financially and this fund is all about supporting our local charities and community groups.

“Now more so than ever, it is vital that they are able to carry on providing the community with support, help and emotional resilience.

“We have already had a very positive response from people applying to the Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund and I urge applications to come forward as soon as possible. The total fund available is £250,000 and applicants are able to apply for up to £5,000.

“Some examples of work the Covid-19 Community Recovery fund is supporting are the development of an online toolbox of resources for a local self-harm support group, helping to improve outcomes for young people in the care system, extra community support for families, recruitment of additional volunteers, extra support for community holiday club resources and additional funding for a counselling service to be adapting due to Covid-19.”

Peter Bradbury from Right2Work CI comments: “Right2Work are delighted to be awarded the funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner. This will enable more opportunities for young people in the County to receive additional support/mentoring that will enable them to build confidence, direction and positive steps towards employment.”

Lisa Blackwell from People First comments: “Funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner will enable us to extend our ‘Here Community Counselling Service’ to those who need us the most, by helping us to prepare and equip our centre for socially distanced counselling sessions and once again be opened up as a Safe Space to the local community.”

Full criteria, application guidance and forms can be found on the PCC’s website on the What We Do page – https://cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/what-we-do/funding/ and the next deadline is 31^st July 2020.

Covid-19 Community Recovery Fund

Successful grants awarded in June:

South Workington Youth Partnership £5,000.00

Triple A Project (All About Autism) £5,000.00

Right2Work CIC £4,997.00

Cumbria Youth Alliance £4,500.00

Milnthorpe Family Centre £3,900.00

Samaritans of West Cumbria £4,000.00

Drop Zone Youth Projects £5,000.00

CADAS £4,612.00

SAFA £5,000.00

Brampton and SolwayYouth network £4,717.28