LCR Cares COVID-19 Fund passes £700k with dozens of community groups awarded funding

Around 80 local groups and charities supporting the most vulnerable members of the Liverpool City Region community have now been handed a share of over £330k in funding.

Friday (17 April) saw the award of a further 27 grants to organisations from across the city region receive funding for their vital work – from food banks in Wirral and Knowsley to advice and support networks in Halton and Sefton.

LCR Cares was launched by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram in partnership with registered charity Community Foundation for Merseyside to support local community and voluntary organisations on the frontline of helping the city region’s communities cope with the impact of Coronavirus.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“It’s fantastic that we have passed the £700,000 mark on our way to our £1 million target for LCR Cares, thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses and organisations.

“It’s even better that we’re getting that money out into the community nearly as fast as it’s coming in.  We’ve now given out more than £330,000 and we’re already hearing the human stories of the difference that is making.

“Thank you to everyone who has given and I’d like to encourage people to give what they can – now more than ever, we need to stand together in solidarity.”

Rae Brooke, Chief Executive, Community Foundation for Merseyside, said:

“In the early stages of this crisis the Metro Mayor did what we hope anyone in a position of leadership would do and that is take swift and decisive action for the benefit of those they serve.

“The most vulnerable people in the Liverpool City Region are now benefiting from that positive leadership and the Community Foundation for Merseyside will continue to ensure the funds from the LCR Cares Covid-19 Community Support Fund go to those community organisations where there is most need and where it will have greatest impact.”

Jeane Lowe CEO at Centre 63 said:

“It’s fantastic to receive this grant from the LCR Cares support fund. Centre 63 has been trusted by young people and their families for decades in Kirkby, so when this crisis hit, we could hit the ground running with regular  healthy  food supplies  , benefit, tenancy, and debt advice, grants for young single parents  and other support as needed.

“This grant means we can offer food and emergency help that because of the coronavirus is even more desperately needed than usual, and will be life-changing to those we can help”.

Lorraine Rizzotti, Operations Manager, Open360:

“We are delighted to receive this grant from the LCR Cares support fund. At Open360 we work to change the lives of disadvantaged people in Runcorn, including young single parents, people in long-term unemployment and isolated over-55s in the community.

“This funding will allow our dedicated staff and volunteers to effectively work with the community from home to make sure we’re helping them through this difficult situation – whether that’s through advice or training or the delivery of food and other essentials.

“This will mean that we can continue to serve the most in-need, building their skills and confidence and support their health and wellbeing – all absolutely vital in the context of the coronavirus crisis.”

Details on how to donate are on the Combined Authority’s website. Search “LCRCares” or visit www.lcrcares.co.uk

Community organisations can apply for grants by visiting: www.cfmerseyside.org.uk

The 27 recipients of funding in this wave are:

Open 360 – £4,950

To offer remote wellbeing support, advice and connectivity for current and former participants during Covid-19 crisis as well as meals delivered to beneficiaries who are having to isolate.

Citizens Advice Halton – £5,000

The grant will be used to provide secure encrypted ICT kit to up to 6 trained advisers that will help when dealing with telephone enquiries.

Halton Play Council – £4,620

Use social media platforms to help reduce isolation in young people that are struggling due to the Coronavirus. The grant will be used for staff and phone costs.

Nightstop Communities Northwest CIC – £5,000

Provide support, food and toiletries to vulnerable community members that cannot go out due to the coronavirus.

Halewood Youth In Community Centre – £4,800

Deliver food and activity parcels over an initial twelve week period across the Halewood area. The grant will be used for travel food and items for activity packs.

Thred – £4,500

To deliver online support sessions for dementia sufferers in Liverpool.  Funding will cover administration and facilitation costs, shopping vouchers and a Zoom subscription.

Voice of Nations – £5,000

Provide online mental health wellbeing workshops and support for women. The grant will be used for staff and equipment costs to deliver sessions.

Ibijoke Children Foundation UK – £5,000

To deliver food and essential household items as well as providing support and advice over the phone and online.  Funding will cover volunteer costs, laptops and mobile phones.

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust – £5,000

Provide an enhanced online counselling service for vulnerable people. The grant will be used to employee Assistance Programme for two months.

Liverpool Community Launderette t/a Kitty’s Launderette – £3,870

Provide the Foodbank voucher scheme for vulnerable families in the community.

 Dovecot Princess Drive Community Association – £4,250

Distribute food to people in the area. The grant will be used for purchasing food stock.

Bridge2 – £3,953

To provide communication and online activities for asylum seekers and refugees. Funding will cover administration and facilitation costs as well as Zoom and teaching resources.

Congolese Association of Merseyside – £3,500

Deliver food/care package with essential items the delivery to families / or vulnerable people will be done by the group.

People First Merseyside – £4,831

Provide an essential emotional support for people with learning disabilities that are struggling due to Coronavirus. The grant will be used for staff costs.

Ykids – £5,000

To provide emergency support packages to children and families in Bootle.  Funding will cover the costs of making up the packages and their contents – food, toys, books etc.

Amy & Friends – £4,380

To supply children with an activity box to keep them occupied during lockdown. Funding will cover the cost of one box per month over three months for 73 children.

Mersey Counselling and Therapy Centre – £5,000

To continue providing counselling and support to those suffering from anxiety and depression, particularly those whose mental health is affected by COVID-19.  Funding will cover staff and administration costs.

Moulana Community CIC – £5,000

To purchase and deliver essential food packages to asylum seekers in Liverpool. Funding will cover driver, packing staff and volunteer costs and fuel costs.

Tuebrook Hope Group – £4,000

To deliver hampers to vulnerable people in the community.  Funding will cover food and cleaning products, masks and gloves and fuel costs.

Liverpool Somali Community – £2,250

To deliver hot halal meals to the community and continue providing support over the phone. Funding will cover staff and volunteer costs as well as phone and rent costs.

Priority Youth Project – £5,000

Deliver online services to vulnerable young people, this would be through mental health workshops, relaxation and daily physical sports sessions. The grant will be used for staff costs.

Home Start Knowsley – £3,007

To purchase 4 laptops plus antivirus software to enable group to continue to deliver services for disadvantaged children and families remotely.

Centre 63 – £5,000

Provide meals and telephone support for vulnerable families. The grant will be used for salary, travel and food costs.

UB Forever Wellness CIC – £2,500

To relieve the financial pressures of low-income families by providing three meals a day.  Funding will cover costs of food, rent of kitchen, protective equipment and travel expenses.

Acronym Community Enterprises (ACE) – £2,500

To build a support network vulnerable people by providing a safe communication space for the participants to deliver essential items, and help people connect with their emotions, share experiences and develop resilience to cope with the current isolation challenges.

Maggie’s Merseyside – £5,000

To continue delivering cancer support online.  Funding will cover specialist support wages at 40hrs per week.

BEE Wirral CIC – £2,200

To buy food wholesale for food bags which volunteers will deliver to families and individuals who are self isolating. Budget to cover cost of purchasing food and cycle safety for volunteers such as cycling helmets.