£800,000 available for grassroots groups to help struggling residents
Community-based food and welfare support providers are being invited to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to help local people in need. The funding will support those who are struggling to afford food and other essential items and to provide wider welfare support.
The Leader of Wirral Council, Councillor Paula Basnett, said:
I’m really pleased we can offer this funding to support the brilliant work of our community, voluntary, and faith groups. They’re out there every day, helping families and individuals who are finding things tough, and these small grants will give them a little extra help to carry on making a big difference.
They know their communities inside out, so they’re best placed to make sure the Household Support Fund goes exactly where it’s needed most.
Local groups are expected to share £800,000 available for the Small Grants Programme, which is part of Wirral’s £5.37 million package of support from the Government’s Household Support Fund (Round 7).
Applications to the Small Grants Programme are being administered by Wirral CVS. Groups wishing to find out more or apply for funding to deliver support in their community should visit the Wirral CVS website .
The Chief Executive of Wirral CVS, Gareth Prytherch, said:
Wirral Council understands the relationship that Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Organisations have with the communities they work with and the Household Support Fund Small Grants Programme is yet another example of how they enable and promote community power.
With an increased focus on prevention, the Household Support Fund Small Grants will enable VCFSE organisations to support more people before they become overwhelmed.
Successful projects will have until 31 March 2026 to deliver their project and spend the grant funding they receive.
The Household Support Fund is designed to provide crisis support to vulnerable people in the most need, as well as offering preventative support to help stop vulnerable households from falling into crisis. More information about how the Household Support Fund is being used in Wirral is available on the Council website.
Information about the support available for people struggling to make ends meet is posted on the Wirral Council website or by calling the helpline on 0151 606 2005 if you are unable to go online. Information about food and other support available is also posted on the Wirral Infobank website.
