Council makes £250,000 available to community groups to support vulnerable residents

Cheshire West and Chester Council has set up a Community Fund worth £250,000 to help local people and causes as west Cheshire aims to fight COVID-19 together.

More than 1,000 residents have already pledged their support for the coordinated community response, which is being organised by the Council, Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) and the rest of the community and voluntary sector.

Many new community initiatives have started to appear as west Cheshire shows true community spirit to support some of the most vulnerable people in the borough.

This Community Fund will help new community initiatives when they are setting up, as well as those more established groups that will continue to provide valuable services during the fight against COVID-19.

It could help fund things like training volunteers, administration, marketing, fuel, supplies and other costs.

Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “The response so far to the coordinated community response has been outstanding.

“In times like this, our communities are playing their part and showing the real difference they can make when they come together.

“With so many new community initiatives starting to appear, we have launched this fund to help them get up and running.

“It is important that all new community initiatives and good neighbours out there have the right systems in place.

“Not only do we need to make sure that we safeguard the people being supported, but also that people getting involved with these initiatives look after themselves.” 

Details about how you can apply for funding will be available later this week. Your local councillor will also be able to direct you to the Community Fund so you can see how it could benefit your group.

• Register your support for the coordinated community response