Local groups or people could qualify for Covid grants

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) has announced a new round of funding to help organisations and individuals across the county cope with the coronavirus crisis.

The funding for #COVID19, the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund, has been enabled by Welsh Government with £25,000 ready to distribute to support Denbighshire's voluntary and community groups, not for profit organisations and registered charities which can apply for up to £2,000. 

Aim of the fund is to enable those providing vital support to people in isolation, the elderly, carers and people struggling to access food.

“This new round follows a highly successful community grants round launched on April 1 which has enabled local voluntary and community action and supported entrepreneurial initiative," said Helen Wilkinson, chief executive of DVSC. 

“This new fund will enable voluntary groups, not for profit organisations and registered charities to apply for up to £2,000 and we are operating a rapid grant decision-making process with applications being considered on a rolling basis until funds are disbursed. 

"Denbighshire voluntary groups and organisations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure their initiative or project receives funding.”

Among projects which have attracted grants so far is Llangollen Town Council for supporting local groups and foodshare projects.

New projects must meet one of three funding criteria outlined by Welsh Government:

• Maintain or increase activities that support the vulnerable during the #COVID19 pandemic 

• Ensure third/voluntary sector organisations have the resources needed to deliver vital services for their communities e.g. volunteer expenses 

• Encourage stringent health and safety protocols for volunteer activities to safeguard volunteers, beneficiaries, and voluntary sector staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, e.g. the purchase of PPE, hand sanitiser

Examples of activities that could be supported are:

* Activities that provide or build capacity for counselling and bereavement support

* Initiatives to support meals on wheels on services or get food to people in need.

* Online learning to support #COVID19 volunteers, beneficiaries, or staff 

* Capacity building for organisations and groups that wish to become anchor organisations or groups to support DVSC’s #COVID19 Volunteer Community Response.

+ To apply for the grant, fill out our online grant application form at: bit.ly/DVSC_Voluntary_Services_Grant