Ashfield Community Fund is doubled to help volunteers working with residents in the district most in need during pandemic

This is on top of the £10,000 community fund that has already been set aside to help community groups recover after coronavirus and, in total, the 2020/21 community fund will now be £20,000, the authority has said.

The extra £10,000 for the Ashfield Community Fund will focus on helping community groups supporting the most vulnerable in the District.

The money will be distributed to organisations who are supporting Ashfield’s response to the pandemic and the main focus will be on helping organisations with the supply of food to the elderly and most vulnerable.

The Nottinghamshire Community Hub have highlighted this as the biggest issue currently faced by residents, the council said.

Some of the organisations that will benefit from the funding include Ashfield Voluntary Action, Our Centre and foodbanks across the district.

The council said it will contact these organisations and invite them to apply for the funding.

Councillor Kier Barsby, cabinet member for health, said: “Our voluntary groups do such an amazing job. They are providing such a crucial service to those most affected by the current coronavirus crisis. That is why to thank and assist them, we will be distributing the funding to voluntary organisations across our district.

“The Ashfield Community Fund is there to help local voluntary organisations, and this money will help keep the districts most vulnerable safe. The extra funding will provide a much needed boost so they can continue their amazing work.”

Teresa Jackson, Manager at Ashfield Voluntary Action, said: “All of our staff have been working from home but helping to respond to phone calls and emails requesting help, signposting and organising volunteers to shop for those who can’t get out. We are here to help and appreciate the recognition and support given to us by Ashfield District Council.”

Rev Chris Ibbs, of Selston Church of Christ, said: “The funding will help us to support more people in the rural areas of the district.”

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