Voluntary organisations and community groups in Hucknall and across Nottinghamshire that help to improve the health and well-being of local residents are being encouraged to apply for a range of financial support that is newly available thanks to the Local Communities Fund.

The four sets of grants open until Sunday 4 June are two sets of Cost of Living grants; Capital grants; and Revenue grants.

Applications for the Cost of Living grants are open for a second round. Eligible groups can apply for up to £5,000 with a pot of £150,000 once again available to support groups who are helping residents most in need. This is part of a wider package of support by Nottinghamshire County Council to help those most affected by rising food and energy costs. 

Two types of grants are available and aimed at groups who are helping those who are struggling to buy nutritious food to help improve health and well-being and build resilience. This may include projects such as 'cook and eat' sessions where residents can better plan, cook and share nutritious, affordable meals.

They are also aimed at groups in need of a contribution towards their own rising energy bills to help keep their welcoming and warm centres and halls open across the county.

Eligible groups who applied for the first round of these grants (which were open between 7 December 2022 and 29 January 2023) are able to apply again, including those who were successful.

The council has earmarked £500,000 worth of Capital Grants for this financial year (April 2023-March 2024) for groups to make improvements to facilities that help improve health and wellbeing, as well as projects with an environmental focus. These include improvements to sporting facilities; play areas and/or equipment; green/horticultural improvements to open spaces; and heritage improvements, signposts and information boards to improve the visitor experience. Eligible groups can apply for up to £20,000.

An annual pot of £100,000 has been set aside for Revenue grants to help projects with their day-to-day running costs such as paying wages and bills. Eligible groups can apply for up to £5,000. Applications from a range of projects are welcomed, including: summer play schemes; projects that tackle digital exclusion, good neighbourhood schemes, dementia-friendly communities and food/lunch clubs; encouraging local networks where people help themselves and each other to be resilient, neighbourly and safe; increasing volunteering opportunities; addressing climate and environmental change; and improving access to existing community-based services (e.g. advice and signposting), for the most vulnerable residents.

Eligible groups can apply for all four types of grants to help meet specific needs in line with the criteria. Each application will need to clearly explain how the money will be used, if successful.

All applications for revenue and capital funding must provide a supporting statement from an elected Nottinghamshire County Councillor for the area in which the proposed project will be delivered.

For further details of eligibility criteria as well as how to apply please click here.

Mark Walker, Nottinghamshire County Council's Interim Service Director for Place and Communities said: "We are delighted that local groups can once again apply for our range of grants to suit their different needs as part of this year's Local Communities Fund. This Fund has the common aim of improving the lives of our residents, particularly their health and well-being.

"And to help simplify the process, groups now have two opportunities a year to apply for capital and revenue grants. Following this current window, the next application window is expected to be open from 2 October 2023.

"Our cost-of-living grants continue to go from strength-to-strength with groups also invited to apply for these grants from today. This 17-month scheme is worth a total of £450,000 to specifically help those groups who support those who are most affected by rising living costs." 

The first round of cost-of-living grants worth £150,000 were awarded to 87 groups in March 2023. These included: £1,000 which went to the Old Basford-based Sensory Learning & Play C.I.C to help towards energy and food costs to help them continue their therapy work with low income and disadvantaged groups across the county; and £1,630 which was issued to help pay the energy bills and running costs of the Nottingham Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre Limited. This organisation helps manage the symptoms of Nottinghamshire residents with a range of chronic health conditions.

For further financial support and advice, check the council's dedicated cost of living support page which can be accessed by clicking here.