22 April 2020

VABS secures major Covid-19 funding for all communities in Badenoch and Strathspey

VABS is delighted to announce that we have been successful in our grant application to Scottish Government, via the team at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, for funds to support all of the communities in Badenoch and Strathspey during the Covid-19 crisis. The application was to the Supporting Communities Fund, with VABS applying as a Community Anchor Organisation for the whole of the strath.

The financial support totals £123,000 to cover the next 6 months and can be used for any relatable activity, carried out by any B&S group (constituted or unconstituted), that is in response to the C-19 pandemic in our area.

We will be issuing guidance and a simple application form very shortly, so that folk can start to apply and it is the intention to turn the money around very quickly, so that this financial support goes to where it is needed in the fastest time.

We need to be vigilant that there is no duplication or double-funding of any actions, so if your group has already applied and been successful elsewhere in getting funding for a specific activity, you will obviously not be able to get more funding from VABS for that particular purpose. Groups need to be very mindful of avoiding double-funding, especially when there are so many funds available at the moment.

The VABS team will be in touch with Badenoch & Strathspey groups and organisations shortly with more details.

Watch this space for further updates!

09 April 2020

Community resilience groups can benefit from new grant scheme

A new fund has been set up to provide grants for community resilience groups that are supporting vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.

This fund is available to groups which provide vital support to vulnerable individuals, including the delivery of emergency food and supplies.

Support can include:

• Supporting local volunteer efforts and expenses (such as developing promotional materials and support for local volunteer telephone systems)
• Making up food packs for vulnerable households
• Developing measures to address social isolation
• Providing a source of funding to enable groups to shop for individuals in the community where households no longer have cash available and they cannot source local deliveries

Groups can apply for up to £500 at any one time and can reapply once initial funding is spent.

The fund is open to all groups within a local area – both constituted and non-constituted. The Council recognises that there are a lot of new groups, which have been set up to support COVID-19 related resilience efforts.

Groups are also encouraged to register with the Council and Highland Third Sector Interface if they have not done so already. Applications are through the normal ward discretionary grant process.

Download the shortened form

All completed forms should be sent to policy6@highland.gov.uk

Highland Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Davidson, said: “We know that there are a lot of groups doing great work locally and this fund has been set up to provide them with the support they need during this difficult time.

“Highland Council is committed to helping protect the most vulnerable in our communities and this is just one of the ways we are able to do this.”