Community organisations get emergency funding

See which 46 community projects have become the first to get a share of a £1m emergency fund from Leicestershire County Council.

The first round of the fund will see £560,000 awarded to 46 projects.

Nick Rushton, Leader of the county council, said: “The Communities Fund will ensure the work of volunteers and groups can keep communities thriving in these challenging times. There has been a huge response so far which is fantastic – and that’s why we’ve decided to increase the funding pot by another half-a-million pounds."

An independent foodbank based in Coalville will be awarded £8,300 to go towards the delivery of food parcels to people in need on a daily basis.

Felicity Middleton, committee chair at Feed the Need Coalville, said: “We will use the grant money to buy food and other essentials for people struggling to manage during this crisis. 

“The money will make a huge difference. People will be reassured that help is at hand when they need it most. We can be responsive when people need baby milk and nappies, food for special diets or supply toiletries and cleaning materials to help people stay safe in their own homes while they are self-isolating.

“We are often able to respond within an hour or two of receiving a request and it is important to us that people trust us and have confidence that we understand their situation. This grant has been an absolutely vital lifeline for us.”

The Bridge (East Midlands), a charity that provides early intervention and homeless prevention services to vulnerable people in Leicestershire is set to receive £9,100 to help them continue helping those in need.

Paul Snape, deputy chief officer at The Bridge (East Midlands), said: “The funding received from the Communities Fund will enable us to adapt to safe and innovative ways of working during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes ensuring every staff member has the necessary equipment to continue their vital work from the safety of their own home.  

“We will also be able to provide additional resource, both in terms of emergency food provision and triage helpline support.  In doing so, we will add significant value to the crisis response for vulnerable individuals and families across Leicestershire.”

Here's a list of all projects that were success and will receive Leicestershire County Council funding: 

The following groups have been awarded money from the Leicestershire Communities Fund:

- Huncote Methodist Church

- Feed The Need, Coalville

- The Well, Kibworth

- Steps Conductive Education Centre

- Elliot Hall for Youth and Community

- Leicestershire Cares

- Markfield Community Association

- Home-Start North West Leicestershire

- Ullesthorpe Congregational Church Community

- Enderby Mission Church

- Islastones

- Arthritis Support Leicestershire

- Hinckley Club for Young People

- Broughton Alive

- Quetzal

- VISTA

- The Bridge (East Midlands)

- British Deaf Association

- Bangladesh Social Association

- The Samworth Centre - Trading as 'Marys Place'

- Shepshed Special Community Bus

- Shepshed Food Bank

- Elohim Church Meeting Point

- Supporting Confidence Through Exercise

- Ashby Food Bank

- Coping with Cancer Leicestershire and Rutland

- Gems Cash for Kids

- Charles Booth Centre

- Mosaic

- WCDA/Westfield Community Centre

- Coalville Education Partnerships CIC

- Headstrong Wellbeing CIC

- Social Training Activities

- Helping Hands Community Trust

- Hab Antibullying

- Oadby & Wigston Lions Club

- Charnwood 20:20

- Melton and District Money Advice Centre

- Women’s Aid

- Boromi 

- Benefice of Groby & Ratby 

- Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland 

- Carillion Wellbeing Radio 

- Rainbows Horses Learning Centre CIC 

- Marlene Reid Centre (MRC) 

- Clawson Kindness