METRO GAVS, which supports the voluntary, community and faith sector in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, announces £150,000 in emergency funding for local organisations.
Greenwich Charitable Trust, the borough's NHS charity, has provided £75,000 and the Royal Borough of Greenwich has matched this with a further £75,000, to make £150,000 in total funding available to support local voluntary and community organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants of between £5000 - £10,000 can be applied for in three areas:
· Supporting voluntary and community organisations in financial difficulty that are key to the health and wellbeing of the local community.
· Supporting voluntary and community organisations to adapt services to support people around health and wellbeing during the pandemic, with a particular focus on mental wellbeing.
· Supporting voluntary and community organisations tackling poverty and food poverty in the local community caused by the effects of COVID-19.
Naomi Goldberg, Director of Strategy at METRO said, "We are hugely grateful to Greenwich Charitable Trust and the Royal Borough of Greenwich for providing this additional funding for the sector at this difficult and extraordinary time. In doing so, they are recognising the essential contribution that our voluntary, community and faith sector make to the health and wellbeing of the borough's residents, and the crucial need for continuity and robust services, now more than ever."
Neil Kennett-Brown, Trustee at Greenwich Charitable Trust, said, "Greenwich Charitable Trust is delighted to support our local community and voluntary sector at this important time, as the need for strong and meaningful partnership throughout our communities is more evident than ever. Our small grants programme has begun to deliver real impact locally, and we hope to build on this."
Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cllr Danny Thorpe, said:
"The response from our borough's voluntary and community sector to the COVID-19 pandemic has been incredible, and we want to help them do even more. Our Community Hub has had over 20,000 calls from residents needing support, and it's clear that some people are really struggling to put food on the table. That's why we're providing extra funding to help alleviate food poverty during this crisis."
To apply, organisations should visit the METRO GAVS website. Closing date is 12noon on Monday 11 May.