Funding boost confirmed for Merton voluntary and community sector to deliver local support

· by · in Civic Pride. ·

Merton Council has notified voluntary and community organisations that applied to the new Civic Pride Fund, that they will share almost £5million in financial support – the largest support package across Merton for many years.

The Civic Pride fund aims to bring together preventative services that provide information, advice and support to strengthen Merton resident’s physical, social, emotional, and economic resilience and will provide funding to 18 organisations delivering 24 projects over three years from Spring 2023, with 3 organisations set to receive funding for the first time.

Offering support services for visually and hearing-impaired children and adults as well as those with additional health concerns, sight loss charity, Merton Vision, will receive over £244,000. Part of this funding is to provide direct outreach support to adult residents with a visual impairment that are isolated or struggling with the cost-of-living emergency, and support to develop a range of skills, provide advice, build travel confidence and understanding of available benefits and welfare support.

Adult social welfare charity, Merton and Morden Guild, provides group activities to people aged 55 years and over, and will receive £122,102 to provide a programme of social interaction activities to decrease the effects of isolation, and boost self-esteem, wellbeing, confidence and mobility.

Community support charity, Commonside Community Development Trust, manages a community centre, and delivers a range of community events and development programmes. The trust will receive £115,678 to provide emergency support to residents within the Pollards Hill area, and to deliver an advice and support programme for families, adults and older people facing multiple difficulties such as poverty, debt, and poor heath and housing within the East Mitcham area.

Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, Councillor Eleanor Stringer, said: “Our voluntary and community sector continues to provide invaluable support to local people to help them overcome challenges, reduce inequalities, and improve quality of life. The support they provided to local people during the Covid-19 pandemic and their ongoing support during the cost-of-living emergency has been of vital importance.

“This funding aims to provide both stability across the sector, and opportunities to explore more new projects to benefit local people, demonstrating our commitment to nurturing a strong sense of community and resilience across Merton.”

To find out more about the Civic Pride Fund and see the full list of successful applicants visit: Civic Pride Funds: Supporting the Voluntary and Community Sector | Merton Council.

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NOTES TO EDITOR

  • 18 organisations will be funded for 3 years – the largest number of organisations funded via grants.
  • Out of the 18 organisations, 3 organisations haven’t received this funding previously.
  • Over £1million has been allocated to organisations that support older people.
  • Over £500,000 has been allocated to organisations that support people with disabilities and impairments.
  • £203,962.00 has been allocated to BAME Voice.