Community Partnership Grants Programme launches in Forth Valley to help Covid-hit groups

The new Community Partnership Grants Programme will distribute £126,000 to registered charities, community interest companies and community or voluntary groups with a bank account delivering services in the area.

The initiative is being overseen by the Forth Valley Covid-19 Partnership comprising the NHS Forth Valley Endowment Fund – better known as Forth Valley Giving – CVS Falkirk, SVE and CTSI and both Health and Social Care Partnerships operating in the region.

Craig Holden, Forth Valley Giving fundraising manager, said: “Every night we see pictures on the news of the work in hospitals by staff coping with the daily influx of Covid-19 patients and that has sadly not abated.

“But there is also a recognition that the work out in communities has also been critical by local groups and volunteers. This grant programme is designed to help support their work – keeping people active, healthy, supported and safe in their homes until we can see the light at the end of the tunnel of this terrible pandemic.”

The 12 areas of Falkirk and Grangemouth with the highest numbers of positive Covid-19 tests between January 8 and 14

The grants are open to organisations offering support to the following types of work: support for unpaid carers; people affected by drugs and alcohol; people isolated and lonely; groups helping with well-being and mental health community support; suicide prevention and bereavement; and end of life support.

There will be a large grant programme offering seven handouts of up to £15,000 each. Following that, there will be a second phase of small and micro grants of up to £2000 and £1000 respectively.

Those unsuccessful for a large grant scheme, applications for which can be made using a simple expression of interest form, can alternatively apply for the second phase of small and micro grants.

The aim is for all of the grants to be distributed by the end of March.

The closing date for phase one is February 1. The launch of phase two will start on February 2 and close on February 26.

For further details and to download the application forms, visit www.cvsfalkirk.org.uk or contact [email protected].

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