Derbyshire County Council have been given grants totalling nearly £50,000 to community and voluntary sector organisations that are continuing to support local people through the COVID-19 pandemic.
While many COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed, these grants support organisations that work with the county’s most vulnerable residents and who need to keep measures in place.
The money from the Public Health COVID-19 Community Response Fund will help support 20 projects across the county, details of which follow.
Our Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Carol Hart said:
“COVID-19 is still with us and continues to cause serious illness for some people.
“These grants mean that a wide range of organisations across the county can continue their work and keep those most at risk safe.
“Community and voluntary groups provide much needed support for local people and this extra funding will help them continue their vital work.”
The grants are for a maximum of £2,000 per project. The Public Health COVID-19 Community Response Fund was set up in in September 2021 with funding from the government and the money has made possible a wide range of ongoing support to those who need it most.
Activities have included online events, providing extra meals, food for people self-isolating, employment support, expanding fitness classes, supporting people affected by domestic violence, and supporting a wide variety of people’s mental health and tackling loneliness. The scheme will be continuing until 31 March 2022.
Details of grants awarded
PC refurb
High Peak
£1,141.92
Equipment used by volunteers which supports wellbeing, PCs then used to support vulnerable groups.
Friends of Hurst Farm
Derbyshire Dales
£2,000
Setting up a Community Pantry. Building on initial COVID response and allowing volunteering ops and isolation support.
Derbyshire Community Hub
Chesterfield
£2,000
Additional food to create meals to add to food bags – addition to existing COVID response with high demand. Reduction of isolation.
Youth Matters, New Mills
High Peak
£2,000
Activities for young people and families to support poor mental health following lockdowns. School support for young people.
Start2Jog
High Peak
£1,050
Support for qualified leaders to expand group due to demand following lockdown.
Whitfield Parish, St James and St Luke’s Church
High Peak
£2,000
Increased demand for food bags, expanding deliveries into community café to support isolation and job seekers.
People Potential Possibilities (P3)
Erewash
£1,980
Community mental health sessions for people who are homeless or at risk of and wider community who have been affected by the pandemic.
Zink Food Bank
High Peak
£2,000
Increase in demand due to COVID – self isolation, increase in unemployment, change to universal credit.
Elephant Rooms (Draycott) CIC
Erewash
£1,944
Running ‘Capacitar’ mental wellbeing courses increase in demand from GP and self-referrals.
Good News Family Care (Homes)
High Peak
£2,000
Supported accommodation for vulnerable men fleeing domestic abuse or homelessness – increased demand during pandemic and after.
Derbyshire Cancer Buddies
County-wide
£2,000
Increase in demand for support for isolation / loneliness has increased due to pandemic.
Freedom Community Project
North East Derbyshire
£2,000
Increase in demand for services supporting homelessness including mental and physical health.
South Derbyshire Mental Health Association
South Derbyshire
£2,000
Increase support to vulnerable isolated people unable to attend the hub and a COVID recovery support group.
Chesterfield FC Community Trust
Chesterfield
£2,000
Support to re-integrate older, socially isolated and vulnerable people into physical and mental wellbeing project.
Bolsover Mental Health Carers Support Group
Bolsover
£2,000
Additional support to carers who have additional mental health support needs particularly around isolation – need has increased significantly due to the isolation felt by carers over the pandemic in particular lockdowns.
SISU
County-wide
£1,990.01
Members of the group who were shielding are reluctant to attend social events – the funding will be used to hold events to support people to attend events safely and reduce social isolation and improve mental health.
Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group
County-wide
£1,650
‘Life After COVID’ project to support a long COVID project alongside uptake of COVID vaccinations and improving mental health.
Building Lives Around Shirebrook Town (BLAST)
Bolsover
£2,000
Building on initial support work to the community – expanding mental health support and reducing social isolation, wider signposting, support to those who initial relied on furloughed friends and family who now have no support.
Lighthouse Homes
Chesterfield
£2,000
Activities to reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing of homeless residents. Will also improve physical wellbeing with physical activity and healthy eating projects.
Rhubarb Farm
North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, Chesterfield
£1,972
Food distribution project supporting people in food poverty. Increase in demand due to COVID – particularly older residents who are more vulnerable. Funding will increase number of people who can access the project.
