In July 2022 we announced a cost-of-living emergency and agreed a £2 million fund to help residents hardest hit. We know that our current services are continuing to see an increase in residents accessing their services.
In December 2024, Cabinet members agreed for £75,000 to be allocated to existing strategic partners and organisations in the borough who provide emergency assistance to increase their capacity to support our residents now and through the winter 2024-25.
It was also agreed that an additional £50,000 would be available this winter to support organisations providing emergency assistance to help manage the impact of increased demand caused by the cost-of-living crisis.
Pot 1: Emergency assistance grants – crisis support for Merton residents in need
Emergency assistance grants to help people access support with basic needs at point of crisis. Emergency assistance in the form of a food or provisions, goods, vouchers are designed to provide short-term, emergency support during a crisis. The aim of emergency support is to relieve immediate pressure by providing practical immediate assistance such as food and provisions but also offering additional information and support, so people don’t need to use the emergency support again in the future.
Criteria
We are looking to fund the following types of support through this grant:
- Co-ordination, induction, training, and support for volunteers.
- Costs relating to transportation and storage of goods.
- Supporting network of provision and assistance, for example, information and support to residents in need.
- Administration, for example, staff time, of individual food or provisions, goods, vouchers.
- Provision of goods as a contingency, for example, where surplus provision is unavailable.
Pot 2: Emergency assistance grants – support for organisations
One-off grants for organisations providing emergency assistance in the borough to help manage the impact of increased demand caused by the cost-of-living crisis. These grants are a contribution towards cost of living-related running costs, such as utility bills, rental costs or staffing costs. The maximum available grant is £5,000.
Criteria
We are looking to fund the following types of support through this one-off grant:
- Additional running costs incurred since April 2024 such as utility bills, rental costs or staffing costs directly related to any increases in the demand for emergency assistance support only. Please try to specify as clearly as possible any increase in expenditure during this period.
Timeline
- Deadline for funding bids 5pm on 10 January 2025.
- Notification of funding decision by 17 January 2025.
How to apply
Organisations interested in applying for grant funding need to complete the application form and email it to voluntary.sector@merton.gov.uk by 5pm, Friday 10 January 2025.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact voluntary.sector@merton.gov.uk