Highland community groups offered new grants

A new fund has been set up to provide grants for community resilience groups that are supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.

This fund is available to groups which provide vital support to vulnerable individuals, including the delivery of emergency food and supplies.

Support can include:

• Supporting local volunteer efforts and expenses (such as developing promotional materials and support for local

volunteer telephone systems)

• Making up food packs for vulnerable households

• Developing measures to address social isolation

• Providing a source of funding to enable groups to shop for individuals in the community where households no longer have cash available and they cannot source local deliveries

Groups can apply for up to £500 at any one time and can reapply once initial funding is spent.

The fund is open to all groups within a local area – both constituted and non-constituted. The Council recognises that there are a lot of new groups, which have been set up to support COVID-19 related resilience efforts.

Groups are also encouraged to register with the Council and Highland Third Sector Interface if they have not done so already. Applications are through the normal ward discretionary grant process.

Download the shortened form

All completed forms should be sent to policy6@highland.gov.uk

Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson, said: “We know that there are a lot of groups doing great work locally and this fund has been set up to provide them with the support they need during this difficult time."

Cllr Davidson stressed: “Highland Council is committed to helping protect the most vulnerable in our communities and this is just one of the ways we are able to do this.”

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