Grants of up to £3,000 have been paid to nine city charities and community groups which will deliver services to Worcester residents suffering from hardship or poor health this winter.
Over £23,000 has been paid from the City Council's Health and Hardship Grant Fund, designed to help residents cope with the impact of Covid-19 and to tackle key health and wellbeing issues within the city.
"We are fortunate to have many fantastic charities and voluntary groups based in Worcester.They know their local communities and have come forward with some very positive proposals which we are pleased to support," says Cllr Lynn Denham, Vice Chair of Worcester City Council's Communities Committee.
"These groups will not only help to make sure that free meals reach the people who need them the most this winter – they will also help to lift spirits and provide some much-needed festive cheer this Christmas."
Charities and groups to receive a grant include:
Citycare@StPaulsChurch Worcester – the group will deliver 400 'hope' boxes and food hampers for families with children under age 11 – and a COVID secure meal for the elderly who live on their own.
Nightstop and Mediation Scheme - provision of emergency accommodation and supported lodgings for homeless young people in Worcester aged 16-25. Trained volunteer hosts who will provide a bed, hot meals and washing facilities for each young person.
The Salvation Army, Worcester - provision of food parcels and gifts of toys for local people on a low income who are struggling to provide for their family at Christmas.
Meals on Wheels – Upskilling initiative - leisure centre staff will prepare, cook and deliver good quality, healthy two course lunches for 120 elderly people living in Worcester, on a weekly basis.
Worcester City Council set up the Health and Hardship Fund after receiving £28,425 from Government's Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant (LAEAG) fund.
Applications to the Health and Hardship Grant Fund closed on 15 November 2020, and funds awarded need to be spent on community projects by 31 March 2021.
