News

Major new fund provides cost of living support

Cost of living support logo

Community groups and other voluntary and faith organisations can apply for funding to help them support people affected by the current cost of living crisis.

Calderdale Council, the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Cost of Living Emergency Fund, and the Community Foundation for Calderdale have come together to help Calderdale residents this winter.

The three organisations have pledged over £225,000 to support voluntary and community organisations to provide practical help to people affected by increases in the cost of living.

The Calderdale Cost of Living Fund is focused on three main areas – Emergency Support; Prevention; and Resilience. Each organisation can apply for funding in one or more of these areas of focus.

Up to £3000 is available for organisations with a track record in helping people, to provide Emergency Support to individuals. This could be support with bills, warm clothing or bedding, or other one-off purchases where people need urgent financial support. This would take the form of a one-off payment of up to £200 per individual.

Between £500 and £5000 is available as part of the Prevention fund, for organisations to prevent people reaching crisis by providing communal warm spaces to reduce domestic energy use.

These warm and welcoming spaces would offer residents somewhere to keep warm, save money on heating and get access to support, advice, hot drinks and in some cases, provide services like Wi-Fi. Funding can be used to extend opening times or increase the facilities or provisions at existing community facilities.

Groups can also apply for up to £15,000 to help build Resilience in residents and support people to move away from crisis through local advice and support services. This fund is for existing providers who are looking to boost capacity over the winter months to meet the increased level of need in Calderdale.

Support in this area may include money management advice, employability and skills support, or benefits advice.

Organisations interested in applying for funding should visit https://cffc.co.uk/calderdale-cost-of-living-fund/(external link) for more information about the requirements and to submit an application for funding.  The deadline for applications is 10am on Friday 9 December 2022  Please contact rachelb@cffc.co.uk or call 01422 349700 for further help with an application.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Jenny Lynn, said:

“The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, but for those who were already living in, or near poverty, the problems are being felt more acutely. This is deeply concerning, and we’re committed to doing all we can to support people through this difficult time.

“We know that local community groups are equally as passionate about providing help and we’re really grateful for their continued support which is already making a real difference to local people in need.

“To ensure that these groups have the resource to be able to continue this hard work, we’ve launched the Calderdale Cost of Living Fund, in partnership with the Mayor and the Community Foundation for Calderdale. This fund will help groups to help individuals with practical support including emergency payments, warm and welcoming spaces and important advice.”

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“We’re taking direct action to help people in Calderdale, and across West Yorkshire, as we face the most crippling cost of living crisis in generations.

“We know that our region is being hit hardest and thousands will be pushed into deep and long-lasting poverty.

“That’s why we’re determined to do what we can to support those in the community who are ensuring the most vulnerable can get food, warmth and support this winter.”

Steve Duncan, CEO of The Community Foundation for Calderdale added:

“Calderdale is known for its kindness and for looking after the people in our community. We are pleased to be partnering with the Mayor and Calderdale Council to be able to offer grants for organisations who can provide practical help and support to people affected by the current increase in the cost of living. This collaboration of organisations who care and who are taking action to look after people in Calderdale this winter, will mean that by working together, we will be able to help even more people.”

The Calderdale Cost of Living fund is supported by funding from Calderdale Council, the Community Foundation for Calderdale and the Mayor’s Cost of Living Emergency Fund.

Across West Yorkshire, the Mayor’s Cost of Living Emergency Fund will provide £3 million over the next 18 months to help the most vulnerable by addressing issues like food insecurity, fuel poverty and mental health. The support it funds will be delivered through local charities and voluntary organisations that are providing important services on the frontline, such as food banks, warm places and debt advice. This will be delivered in partnership with local authorities and the funding will keep these important services afloat during the forthcoming winter and up until 2024. For more information visit https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/helping-west-yorkshire/(external link)

ENDS