Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, said:
“I am delighted to be able to announce the first five organisations
in the South West to receive a grant offer from the Government’s
Hardship Fund. The grants, that range from £50,000 to £250,000,
provide real help to organisations in England delivering front line
services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. I
encourage other organisations to apply as the Hardship Fund is still open
for applications.”
Jim Knight, Regional Minister for the South West said:
“This funding of nearly £300,000 for the South West will make a
huge and welcome difference to five organisations in the region, allowing
them to continue offering much needed services. The work they do around
issues such as housing, sexual health and helping disabled people is
vitally important to those who rely on their support and advice.
“I hope more organisations in the South West will apply for funding
so that even more people who are finding it tough at the moment can benefit
too.”
In total 74 voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises
across the country have received Government Hardship Fund grants offers
today worth between £50,000 and £250,000 each.
The £16.7 million Hardship Fund was announced by the Chancellor in
his Budget in April 2009 to help voluntary organisations, charities and
social enterprises that are suffering financial hardship that is impacting
on their ability to deliver vital services in health and social care,
housing support, education and training, and information, advice and
guidance.
The Hardship Fund builds on the £42.5 million package of measures
announced in the Government’s Real Help for Communities Action Plan
in February 09.
The Hardship Fund is still open for applications from third sector
organisations delivering front-line services who are suffering a reduction
in income which is impacting on their ability to deliver those services. To
apply, organisations must have an income of £200,000 a year or more.
