Grants for VCS organisations to give out accurate information to the local community about keeping safe during the pandemic. This includes informing people about how to get a test at home or at a testing centre, and what to do if you have a positive test.

Grants are prioritised for organisations working with communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19, or where there are barriers to understanding Public Health information.

Aim of the Grant Programme

The aim of the grant programme is to help keep local people safe, by making sure that everyone has access to accurate and up-to-date information. Grant holders will use their communication channels, outreach and ongoing engagement and service delivery work to inform people about how to get a test, and what to do if it is positive.

They will give information about contact tracing, and what options are available. They will also help to protect community members from scams by identifying what official contact looks like.

Training

Alongside the grant programme is a training scheme run by Volunteer Centre Hackney to support staff and volunteers to become community experts. > Read more

The Grant Programme

Grants will be offered at 2 levels – Messenger Grants of up to £10k and Contact Point Grants of up to £20k, with Contact Point Grants asking organisations to act as a contact point within their community, as well as carrying out the information giving and feeding back.

Information for applicants

• Organisations will be able to select from a menu of activities within each grant programme
• They will need to demonstrate that they have a track record of reach into the community they propose to work with
• Participation in the VCH training programme and in Public Health feedback forums would be expected to be part of the programme
• Grants will be for 12 months
• Deadline: Monday 26 October at 9am

Apply on the Hackney Giving website

For more information and to apply, please click here.