Donate to crowdfunding effort and support community initiatives

Even though a crowdfunding effort set up by Cheshire West and Chester Council has now reached its target, there’s still time for people to donate and support local initiatives that have been at the forefront of the community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Visit the crowdfunding platform on Spacehive

The Council kickstarted the crowdfunding effort with a £50,000 contribution as all of the £500,000 available through the Community Response Fund has now been distributed. 120 different community initiatives across the borough were supported through the Community Response Fund.

• Snow Angels used funds to adapt during the pandemic and continue delivering its services for older people, such as dog walking, making befriending calls and supporting people with shopping and prescriptions.
• SHARE, which supports homeless people, made the most of funds to carry out food and other deliveries.
• Funding has helped CLIC Sergeant continue supporting young cancer patients and their families during the pandemic.

This crowdfunding effort will be supporting similar projects, focusing on key priorities like food poverty, isolation and befriending services, mental health support, older people’s services, support for children and young people and financial hardship.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We’re already starting to provide funding to community initiatives through this crowdfunding effort.

“Our communities have gone above and beyond during the pandemic and it’s important we provide further funding opportunities for local community initiatives.

“If any residents or organisations would like to contribute to the crowdfunding effort, please visit the Spacehive platform. All donations will make a big difference.”

How to apply for funding

Do you know a not-for-profit community initiative that could benefit from this crowdfunding effort?

All they need to do is email: communitiescwc@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. They’ll be able to request an application form and submit it to the same email address.

A panel, including representatives from Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA), will review the application forms and the aim is to turn them around within 72 hours.