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Notts groups urged not to miss out on £750,000 worth of community-boosting grants

Voluntary organisations and community groups helping improve the health and well-being of local  residents still have time to apply for range of financial support thanks to Nottinghamshire County Council’s  Local Communities Fund.

Various grants remain open until midnight on Sunday 4 June. These include two types of cost-of-living grants 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. Groups can apply for up to £5,000.
• 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. Once again, groups can apply for up to £5,000.

Eligible groups who applied for the first round of these grants are able to apply for  both sets of grants again, including those who received funds last time.

As part of the wider Local Communities Fund, groups can also apply for up to £20,000 in capital grants  to help towards improvements to facilities that help improve health, wellbeing and the environment  such as improvements to sports facilities, play areas or green spaces.
  
Revenue grants are  also available to help projects with their day-to-day running costs such as paying wages and bills. Groups can apply for up to £5,000, with applications from a range of projects welcomed. These  include  summer play schemes, projects which improve access to community-based services for those most in need  or schemes which benefit the environment. 

Councillor John Cottee, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, reminded groups not to miss out on the opportunity to apply for these funds. He said,  

“ We are proud to offer this range of grants worth a total of £750,000 to suit the different needs of local groups.  The work of community groups, voluntary organisations and parish councils help to make our communities an even better place to live, so it’s vital we support them as much as we can.
 
“ And to help simplify the application process, groups now have two opportunities a year to apply for capital and revenue grants.  After the current round closes this Sunday, the next chance to apply will be in early October.”

Councillor Matt Barney, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health added, 

“Our cost-of-living grants are targeted at groups who are supporting those most affected by rising living costs. 

“These groups work tirelessly to help improve the health and well-being of our residents, so I would encourage groups who haven’t applied yet for this money to get their applications to us by Sunday 4 June.” 

More than 80 groups received cost-of-living grants worth a total of £150,000 from the first round of these grants earlier this year. A third round of cost-of-living grants is due to reopen later this year.

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

For further details of  eligibility criteria as well as how to apply go to: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/LCF

For further financial support and advice, check the council’s dedicated cost of living support page: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/business-community/cost-of-living-support