COMMUNITY food and welfare support groups can apply for funding to help in their work to address financial hardship and other impacts from Covid-19.

Those groups have already been playing a valuable role in the provision of emergency support for the most vulnerable or in need in Wirral.

Since March 30 this has been centrally co-ordinated, led by Wirral Council.

Changes are now being made to how this support is provided with groups returning to a 'business as usual' approach, as close as possible to how they operated prior to the pandemic.

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Pat Hackett, said: "Though the health impacts of Covid-19 are currently being controlled locally, there is a recognition that the virus will continue to have an economic impact on many households in Wirral.

"For that reason, the council is allocating £75,000 to a small grants programme that will enable community-based food and welfare support providers to ensure food and other essentials can be accessed by those most in need."

Groups have two weeks to apply for funding of up to £3,000 to enable them provide a service that is specifically linked to the pandemic recovery.

This could be by:

  • Providing support to individuals and families in financial hardship, but who do not currently meet various thresholds
  • Enabling social supermarkets to become Covid-safer by funding protective equipment; screens, face coverings, gloves etc
  • Extending the availability of discounted food – reducing the price of lunches, food hampers etc
  • Providing budgeting and cookery courses for local people

For details on how to apply and an application form, groups should visit www.wirral.gov.uk/covidfood.