Local organisations around Calderdale are benefitting from funding to help support people in the borough who may be struggling with the cost of living.
46 community, voluntary and faith organisations around the borough have been awarded a share of £500,000 from the Calderdale Cost of Living Fund. The fund is made up of contributions from Calderdale Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Community Foundation for Calderdale and the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund(external link).
This is the second round of funding and organisations were able to apply for grants to offer help in an emergency, to provide support with mental health and wellbeing, and/or to help people build resilience for the future.
The successful applicants are based around the borough and the funding will help support initiatives offering practical help or guidance, such as providing warm, welcoming spaces where people can access refreshments, activities and information about where to get further support. The funding is also supporting opportunities to help local people with essentials, such as heating, food, transport costs or utilities.
One organisation which is to benefit from the funding support is Halifax Academy, which is supporting local families to stay warm and healthy by assisting with basic household essentials.
Fiona Black, Community and Partnership Officer at the Academy, said:
“We were incredibly happy to have been awarded funding from the Calderdale Cost of Living Fund. It will help support many of our families who are experiencing hardship.
“The funding will provide hope and opportunity for many of those who can be pulled under by choosing between eating and heating, or prioritising feeding their children ahead of themselves.
“Our pastoral team will work to make sure those communication links are developed further, not only providing funding around food, fuel bills and other basic necessities, but through combining this with sign posting to others who can help, as well as to the Community Kitchen for food.”
Another organisation which has been awarded funding is the Calderdale Bahai Community. The grant will support the activities in Park ward at the Outback Community Garden and Kitchen.
Dr Stephen Cleasby from the community expressed his delight, saying:
“We will be able to provide meals for more families as well as food parcels and help with energy costs. This is a real boost to the community building efforts.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Towns, Tourism and Voluntary Sector, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“Reducing inequalities is a priority for the Council and we understand that the cost of living crisis continues to cause great concern. As we head into the winter months, we know that residents are worried about issues like being able to provide essential items or affording to heat their home, and we want to help.
“Our community organisations continue to demonstrate Calderdale’s known kindness with initiatives to support people in their local area. This help includes practical solutions as well as advice and wellbeing support, to help boost resilience.
“Around 50 organisations have now received funding to enable these plans to become a reality, providing vital and much-valued support to help people through the difficult winter season.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“Our cost of living support demonstrates the power of devolution, as we work with local authorities and charities across the region to make a real difference to people’s lives.
“We’ve supported thousands of struggling households and also helped charities to continue their important work helping the most vulnerable.
“We will continue to work with our dedicated partners to support all our communities, as we build a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Steve Duncan, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Calderdale, added:
“We have a history of being resilient in Calderdale, so when facing the cost of living crisis, it has been vital that this partnership working will offer grants to help give practical support and guidance to people in our local community.”
For more help and support with money and wellbeing, please visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/benefits/money
Building resilience is a theme of the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Get involved with the debate on Twitter with #VisionCdale2024 and find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
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