Wirral's independent local news website
More help is available for struggling residents after £556,000 was awarded to Wirral-based community, voluntary and faith sector groups to enable them to provide food and welfare support in their local neighbourhoods over the summer months.
Funding for the scheme was provided by the Small Grants Programme, which is part of a £3.05 million package of support from the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
Although bids to the scheme were over-subscribed, 32 local groups successfully applied for up to £20,000 to address welfare needs in their area. Up to £2,000 was also awarded to each organisation to help with the overhead costs of running their projects. The Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Janette Williamson, visited two of the organisations providing local assistance through the scheme – Equilibrium North West CIC and Heart of Egremont – on 24 August to see how they are helping in their areas.
The Council Leader said:
“After talking to service users and the staff and volunteers of organisations on the frontline in our communities, it is clear that the cost-of-living crisis is worsening by the day, with more and more people finding it difficult to make ends meet. “And just as they did through the pandemic, Wirral’s community groups are using their incredible local knowledge to make sure help is given to those who are most in need and in the most accessible and appropriate way.” The current (Summer) round of HSF funding is the latest from the Department for Work and Pensions which has provided more than £6 million since December 2020 under the COVID Winter Grant Scheme and COVID Local Support Grants.
The founding director of Equilibrium North West, Sharon Munroe, said:
“We all get an unexpected bill now and again, but for more and more people – including many who are in work – it can be enough to push us into a crisis situation. The grant funding we received allows us to give them a ‘Reprieve Pack’ containing all of the essentials needed to get them through for a few days. And while they are in our centre, we link them up with other local agencies such as Age UK, Energy Projects Plus and Involve Northwest, to see if they can get the help and advice that will assist them for the longer term.” The Coordinator at Heart of Egremont, Gary Dodd, said:
“Although the past few years have been hard, we are seeing even more walk-ins now as cost of living issues really start to bite. So many people just don’t know where else to turn. The grant pays for ‘Support Bags’ for people who need food help and our team of volunteers then make sure they know what other help is available on-site, including our community shop, café and activities programme. We also link them in with other support agencies to make sure they know what other help is available.”
Information about other support available to people in need is available on the Wirral Council website at www.wirral.gov.uk/welfaresupport or by calling the helpline on 0151 666 5050 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 other support for residents is also available on the Wirral Infobank website at www.wirralinfobank.co.uk
Image: Cllr Janette Williamson (R), Leader of the council is pictured with the founding director of Equilibrium North West, Sharon Munroe (L)
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