How to Apply workshop, COVID-19 Information Small Grants, 22 July

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for voluntary and community sector (VCSE) groups working with people most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Hackney and/or the City of London.

We are keen to fund small VCSE organisations to provide information and support to communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This includes communities with specific language needs, older people, people with serious mental illness, people with learning disabilities and Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian communities.

A total of £150,000 is available for distribution to not for profit organisations with a turnover of less than £300,000. We also aim to support small organisations with this funding and distribute at least 10 grants to organisations with a turnover of less than £50,000.

We want to fund activities that do one or more of the following:

* increase residents’ access to Public Health information about the COVID-19 vaccinations including responding to valid concerns about the vaccines and the vaccination process
*  reduce misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccines via open and respectful dialogues where concerns and mistrust can be addressed
* support communities to understand the evolving rules and guidance around lockdown and lockdown easing, social distancing, testing and self-isolation
* increase residents’ understanding of the practical support available to them, such as benefits and financial support
* increase residents’ understanding of the mental health and wellbeing support available to them
* help communities understand the bereavement support services available to them
* make a positive difference to residents’ health and wellbeing by communicating messages about public health issues other than COVID-19 (e.g. healthy eating, physical activity, stop smoking services etc.)

Contact - paul.turley@hcvs.org.uk