About the fund
We recognise how difficult the last few years have been for people and the challenges living during a pandemic have created.
Blackpool Council are proud of the work that has been achieved by our community partners and the way in which the communities of Blackpool came together during a time of need. As we start looking to the future we must not forget those more vulnerable within our communities who may require additional support to reintegrate and return back to a version of ‘normal’.
With this in mind Blackpool Council, NHS Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups have come together to provide this Covid-19 Community recovery investment fund. Together we want to support our community sector organisations to utilise their strengths working as trusted partners with residents to help improve the lives of those still isolated by the virus.
The fund aims to support those considered most at risk from Covid-19 to help build their confidence and reintegrate them back into communities in a safe and sensitive way.
The funding will offer up to £5000 in order to support existing organisations to deliver activities and events within Blackpool for these groups (outlined below).
What is it?
The Covid-19: Community Recovery Investment Fund is a single round of funding led by Blackpool Council.
It launches on Monday 25 April 2022 and will accept applications for 4 weeks, until midday Monday 23 May.
Applications can be submitted by any voluntary and community organisations based in or delivering in Blackpool that are delivering activity to support those who fell under the vulnerable/shielding criteria during the pandemic or those who are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19.
These conditions include:
- People who have a severely weakened immune system (including people with blood cancer, organ or bone marrow transplant or weakened immune system due to treatment such as chemotherapy)
- Long-term lung conditions (such as severe asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis)
- Long-term conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels (such as congenital heart disease, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease)
- Long-term kidney disease
- Long-term liver conditions (such as cirrhosis and hepatitis)
- Conditions affecting the brain or nerves (such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy or stroke)
- Severe or multiple learning disabilities
- Down's syndrome
- Diabetes
- Problems with the spleen or the spleen has been removed (splenectomy)
- Severe obesity (a BMI of 40 or above)
- Severe mental conditions (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder)
Evidence of outcomes
As part of the funding criteria we're keen to see evidence of outcomes against your application.
Each successful organisation will be expected to provide an end of project summary to include information on activity delivered, uptake, outcomes and feedback from participants. This report should be no longer than a single side of A4 (excluding photographs).
Where photos are included organisations must ensure they have received permission to share.
What we won’t fund
- Trips and excursions
- Uniforms
- Religious or political activities
- Mobile phones and contracts
- Utility bills including insurance
- Applications where planning permission hasn’t already been agreed (where applicable)
- Projects that have already been funded or already been delivered
- Expenses
- Project planning and consultant fees
- Individuals
Who can apply?
- Community organisations based in Blackpool that have a focus on delivery of activity for the groups outlined above
- Joint applications will be scored highly - 2 or more groups / organisations coming together
- Organisations must have a community bank account with 2 signatories (not at the same address). The account must be in the name of the community group
- Organisations with a constitution
How much can I apply for?
Organisations and community groups can apply for funds up to £5,000.
The application process
All applications will be reviewed and a decision made on their success in the 10 working days following the funds closing date.
If successful you will receive an email with the good news.
The email will include information on how you will receive payment. As soon as you receive your email notification you can start your project delivery.
At the end of the project term you should submit a report of the project as outlined above.
Applications for the Community recovery investment fund have now closed.