A £1m community fund to support voluntary groups to help vulnerable people through the Covid-19 crisis has been launched by Nottinghamshire County Council.

Nottinghamshire charities, voluntary and faith groups working hard to support residents impacted by COVID-19 are being encouraged to apply for grant funding of up to £10,000 to help meet running costs and deliver local support to those affected by this public health emergency.

The new fund forms part of the council’s response to give advice and support for communities during the coronavirus outbreak for residents who are self-isolating and vulnerable people who can’t leave their homes.

Council leader Coun Kay Cutts said: “Thank you to all those who are volunteering. I’m immensely proud of the response shown by local volunteer groups and aware that there is a huge amount of help and support out there for vulnerable people.

“This includes volunteers who are cooking and delivering meals, helping with food shopping and other essentials, collecting and delivering prescriptions, or helping keep someone’s spirits up via a phone chat.

“We hope this funding will help groups continue this vital work to help maintain the morale and well-being of our communities.

“Our priority is to approve grant applications from voluntary projects that are already set up so we help them continue this essential work in the challenging months ahead.

“Given the difficult situation we all find ourselves in, we will ensure that all successful groups receive money as soon as possible and we will keep this emergency funding open for as long as we can, so no one misses out.

“We have made the application process as quick and easy as possible as we know volunteers are working tirelessly to help as many people as they can.”

To apply go to www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/communityfund

For further information about the funding, please email [email protected] or call 0115 977 2041

This funding is designed to support established local charities and voluntary groups, including faith-based organisations, as well as parish or town councils taking an active role in responding to emerging needs in Nottinghamshire communities as a result of COVID-19.

Those successful in getting funding will have their groups details published on the Nottinghamshire Coronavirus Community Support Hub.

This hub forms another essential part of the council’s response to COVID-19 to give advice and support for communities during the coronavirus outbreak.

A new searchable database is due to launch soon to help those who need support find a local volunteer group close to them.