NEW small grant funding to support voluntary and community sector organisations survive post-COVID-19 and continue to support Thurrock's residents has opened for applications.

Funded by Thurrock Council and administered by Thurrock CVS, the Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF), has £66,520 available for this year's annual grants programme to support community groups to sustain post COVID-19 or to positively support communities by reaching out and providing help.

A smaller funding pot of £20,000 is also available to support artists and cultural organisation at this challenging time.

Cllr Deb Huelin, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "The partnership approach with our voluntary and community sector that continues to support the borough during the COVID-19 pandemic has been fantastic.

"We are yet to truly understand the full impact of the pandemic on our economy but we cannot risk losing the support that so many voluntary and community organisations provide Thurrock.

"Funding originally awarded for community engagement activities this summer has been repurposed to make this immediate funding possible. It will make a huge difference to those that need it in the borough and I encourage every community group that has lost income through the crisis, or who wants to do more to support the recovery process, to apply."

Thurrock CVS will administer the VSDF application process which is now open through to Monday, 25 May with funding decisions are expected in early June.

Kristina Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Thurrock CVS, said: "From the very beginning of the developing COVID-19 pandemic, we have been in constant contact with our community and voluntary organisations. We knew early on that our wonderful local groups would be hit hard, as often they operate with little funding reserve and no room to scale back without directly affecting the important services they provide.

"With planned fundraising events being cancelled overnight, and direct sources of income - perhaps through charity shop sales - plummet to zero, we see the opening of this fund will be welcomed by the sector.

"Many organisations employ staff, enter legal agreements and hire premises and are all worried about their future. The VSDF funding is a great opportunity for our community organisations to get the support they need and our opportunity to help protect these vital services."

For more information, guidance and to submit an application click here.