Local voluntary, faith and community sector organisations will be able to reach more vulnerable households in Bracknell Forest after being awarded a voluntary, community and faith sector organisation grant to help them support people facing financial hardship.
As part of the Household Support Fund, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, the local community grants have been offered to help local organisations support vulnerable households facing financial hardship.
The grants worth over £100,000 in total, are to help households with the cost of food or energy, including keeping warm over the winter.
Over the spring months, local organisations were encouraged to apply for up to £15,000 to run specific projects that provide critical support to households struggling with the cost of living.
Applications were assessed by a panel to make sure that they met the set criteria. The following organisations were successful:
- The Cowshed - for the continued support of providing clothing, home textiles and other essentials
- First Days - to help with school uniform costs for low-income families, as well as warm coats for children and energy saving products to help families with energy costs
- Kerith Church - funding for Bracknell foodbank, funding fresh food as well as help with energy payments
- Easthampstead Baptist Church - to provide activities for low-income families and to help with a vehicle purchase for the provision of energy efficient white goods for households in need
- Share - to help buy a vehicle to expand the number of food-sharing sessions in Bracknell Forest - Share helps to distribute food that would normally go to waste
- Berkshire Women's Aid - to help cover the costs of providing advice and crisis support to those experiencing domestic abuse, including providing a safe place for refuge
- The Ark Trust - to support their Hive project which provides support with the cost of living for people with disabilities, those with long-term health conditions, carers and the wider community
Cllr Mary Temperton, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said:
“These organisations have played a vital role in supporting residents so far, and this funding will help them to reach more households in need.
“We are very grateful to all the applicants that took time to apply and look forward to seeing the positive effect the funding has on the community.”
This is just one of the ways that we are helping residents with the cost of living. For more details on the Household Support Fund and help with the cost of living, visit Cost of Living Support.
