Published on 14th May 2020

Girl in a pink top holds a colourful patterned piggy bank

Additional support for Cheltenham’s community, voluntary groups and parish councils is being made available to bolster local communities, shield the vulnerable and support businesses during Covid-19.

In an open letter to parish councils, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, Cllr Steve Jordan said: ‘’Parish councils along with many other community and voluntary groups have an important role to play in supporting local communities during this national emergency, which is why the council has decided to increase its Community Resilience Fund from £80,000 to £100,000.

‘’We are very thankful to all the key workers and volunteers across Cheltenham’s health and front-line services and we encourage parishes and community organisations that are providing Covid-19 community support to apply for a community resilience grant.’’

The scheme, which now brings together £50k funding from Cheltenham Borough Council and £50k from Gloucestershire County Council is helping to cover additional costs these groups may incur and have insufficient resources to meet, due to an increase in activity or function.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The county council understands how important community and voluntary groups are to local residents during the coronavirus outbreak, so we are pleased to offer help. These payments will enable them to continue providing vital services to ensure those most vulnerable are able to access the support they need.’’

To date, 16 local organisations have received grants totalling £28,880.

Application guidelines and forms can be downloaded online: www.cheltenham.gov.uk/communitypride.

For more information, please contact the council’s community services team by email [email protected].

For media enquiries, contact: communications, telephone 01242 264332, email [email protected]

Notes:

The community resilience funding has increased by £20k and was previously made up of £30k funding from Cheltenham Borough Council and £50k from Gloucestershire County Council.

The community resilience funding can only be used for expenditure in relation to the Covid-19 Crisis, for full guidance see www.cheltenham.gov.uk/communitypride

A selection of recipients of the community resilience fund to date
Organisation Funding amount

St Philip & St James Area Resident's Association

£209.06

Listening Post Christian Counselling Service

£450.00

Cornerstone Centre

£1,198.00

Gloucestershire Counselling

£2,000.00

Caring for Communities and People

£4,951.68

The Reddings Residents' Association

£300.00

The Rock

£1,099.00

Family Space - Feed Cheltenham

£1,500.00

Springbank Community Group

£4,900.00

The Long Table Cheltenham

£2,000.00

Hollie Gazzard Trust

£799.90

Gloucestershire Deaf Association

£1,302.69

Youth for Christ Gloucestershire

£770.00

Cheltenham YMCA

£1,400.00

Young Gloucestershire (match fund up to £5k)

£5,000.00

The Cheltenham Trust

£1,000.00