Charities and volunteer groups across Bristol, Bath, Somerset and South Gloucestershire have been invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to support vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Quartet Community Foundation has launched a coronavirus response fund to those wishing to help local communities most at risk during the health crisis - and it has already raised a staggering £200,000 since it started collections last weekend.
The community foundation says grants will be used to deliver support to the most vulnerable, such as the elderly, as well as providing means to reduce loneliness as people self-isolate in their homes to stop the spread of the virus.
Chief executive Sue Turner told Bristol Live that the foundation had been receiving lots of calls from locals telling them they wanted to help.
"People are worried about not being able to help in person and so donating money is a great way that people can leap into action," she said.
The foundation is already moving very quickly to get people's donations out into the community to help people, with Ms Turner promising that any donations would not sit in a bank account for months. "It will be getting out into the community," she said.
Organisations were already been given grants before the coronavirus outbreak have been told they can be flexible with how they use it.
"We're encouraging the voluntary sector to be bold and imaginative," Ms Turner said.
Initiatives the foundation is keen to explore are befriending schemes to replace the lunch clubs elderly people will no longer be able to go to and schemes to support refugees and asylum seekers.
If you feel you can offer the support the foundation is looking for, here's how you can apply.
Is my organisation eligible?
To be eligible to apply for a grant, your organisation must support:
- Elderly groups (65 and over)
- People with disabilities and underlying health conditions
- Homeless people
- Those on low incomes
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- People in food poverty
What does the grant include?
Grants, which go up to £5,000, cover running costs, including staff costs, volunteer expenses and transport costs.
What can I do with the grant?
Schemes that offer direct and immediate practical support for vulnerable groups and initiatives to reduce isolation and vulnerability will be prioritised.
Where can I apply?
Those interested can apply online using this link: https://ukcf.secure.force.com/forms/QuartetCF/CoronavirusResponseFund
There is no deadline.
