By Leah Conway – KLTV Contributor
Kirklees Council has announced that an extra £50,000 is available to support vital community groups and organisations.
Who is the Support Fund For?
The funding will support local community organisations across Kirklees. The money will help those who have been affected by losing out on income over the Christmas and new year period due to covid-19.
This much needed support comes at a time in which community groups have found it especially difficult to generate income and support their community work.
Christmas is usually a crucial time in generating income and support. For instance, there would usually be local Christmas lights switch-on events, lunches, Christmas fairs, carol concerts and other seasonal activities.
Without such events providing essential funding, many smaller organisations are struggling. Some have even found that this support has all but disappeared.
How Will the Fund Help?
The Councils Christmas fund for voluntary and community groups is a way of helping local organisations. It is hoped the fund will help meet some of these challenges.
The Council decided on the fund as a result of feedback from community groups. It is part of the ongoing work between Kirklees Council, Third Sector Leaders and organisation in local places for local people.
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet agreed to support the funding on the 15th December 2020
The extra funding will be added to the current Ward Project Budgets fund.
In Spring 2020 the Council boosted the fund by an extra £690,000. The fund breaks down to £30,000 for each ward. The boost in the fund was for tackling the pandemic. Since Sping, the funding provided essential support to many Kirklees citizens.
“Here to Help”
Cllr Cathy Scott and Cllr Paul Davies, Kirklees Council Cabinet leads for Harnessing Voluntary Sector Capacity said: “Community organisations are incredibly important for people’s wellbeing, especially at such a difficult time for many people.
“We’re working with and alongside dedicated and inspiring groups in our local places. We recognise that these local organisations who are so fundamental for keeping people connected and safe are often facing their own financial challenges.
“So we want to make sure that vital local groups are supported through and beyond the Christmas period. We’re continuing to work closely with TSL Kirklees to understand what other support local groups will need in the months ahead.”
Hilary Thompson, Chair of Third Sector Leaders Kirklees said: “TSL Kirklees supports a variety of voluntary and community organisations across Kirklees.
“We know just how challenging things are for many groups right now. If you’re part of a community group or organisation, we’re here to share advice on all sorts of things, including funding opportunities. We can also connect you to other people and organisations.
“Supporting each other has real value for voluntary and community organisations – the strength of peer to peer support is it helps us find innovative ways to a solution. We’re here to help.”
Where to Find the Support?
Local groups and organisations can find out about this and other funding support available during Covid-19 at: www.communityresponsekirklees.com/funding
In addition, groups can access free advice and support from TSL Kirklees.