Frontline groups share almost £650,000 to help struggling residents

Dozens of community groups from across Wirral have received up to £21,000 each to help them provide food and welfare support to residents who are struggling in their areas.

The community, voluntary and faith sector groups will share £648,010 under the Small Grants Programme, which is part of a £3.05 million package of support funded by the Government’s Household Support (Winter) Fund. 

Although bids to the grant programme were over-subscribed, 43 local groups successfully applied for up to £20,000 to address welfare needs in their areas. Up to £1,000 was also awarded to each organisation to help with the overhead costs of running their projects.

The Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Janette Williamson, said, “Local partners are reporting unprecedented need for their services, so the funding we are announcing will get to where it’s needed quickly, and is a great example of how the Council and our local partners are ‘Here to Help’ this winter.”

The current Winter round of HSF funding is the latest from the Department for Work and Pensions, which has provided more than £9 million since December 2020 under the COVID Summer and Winter Grant Schemes and the COVID Local Support Grant. The priorities for each round of spending have been identified by the Council in consultation with local partners.

Information about the this and other support available is posted on the Council website at www.wirral.gov.uk/costofliving  or by calling the helpline on (0151) 606 2005 if you are unable to go online. The helpline can also advise on assistance that may be available from Age UK Wirral for anyone digitally excluded.

Information about food and other support available to residents is also posted on the Wirral Infobank website at www.wirralinfobank.co.uk

The Small Grants Programme is part of a £3.05 million package of support funded through a six-month extension to the Government’s Household Support Fund. It is supporting the borough’s most vulnerable residents, through a package of projects which includes:

• Wirral Household Support Fund – small grants programme  (£648,010 – as set-out above)
• Early Years food & essentials hampers during school holidays (£130,000)
• School Emergency Food Pantries (£520,000)
• Financial support with fuel – Energy and water debt (£500,000)
• Crisis support with emergency heating (£23,000)
• Crisis support with white goods (£66,000)
• Emergency temporary heating and winter warm packs (£20,000)
• Food support for out of school activities (£70,000) 

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