Shouldham Parish Council

Local Support – Funding

Support targeted to voluntary and community groups £1,000,000

Norfolk Community Foundation has set up a fund so that frontline voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations can deliver vital winter aid to the people they support.

Norfolk VCSE organisations, as well as town and parish councils and faith groups, will be able to apply for funding to deliver £50 vouchers for groceries / household essentials (supplied through Edenred). Where vouchers can’t be used because someone lives in a very rural area or does not have access to the internet, groups can offer a grant of £50 cash instead. The vouchers or grant will be given to the charity that applies for it, and they will then pass this on to those needing support.

Funding for support with energy and other bills will be initially directed to Age UK Norfolk, Norfolk Citizens Advice and Mancroft Advice Project. Once this approach is tested, more organisations will be added. Any enquiries to be part of this approach should be directed to the Norfolk Community Foundation.

Referrals can be made via the NCAN system or direct referral where NCAN is not in use (see appendix 1)

Where no prepayment meter is in place organisations are able to make payments directly to energy companies – there is no cash alternative. Where individuals need support with the purchase of oil, a referral will need to be made to NAS who have specific links to oil providers and access to tariffs. For more detail about who can apply, for how much and when please go to https://www.norfolkfoundation.com/funding-support/grants/groups/norfolk-household-support-fund/ (scroll all the way down the page for full information and the apply button).

NCF will also communicate with wider VCSE organisations how they link people up with longer term support offered via District Council teams and NAS so that they can be helped past the initial £50 sum where needed.

Food support £500,000

We will work with local councils to ensure that local foodbanks are provided with support where needed to meet additional needs of residents over the winter. Many foodbanks are reporting that they are well funded and seek to find longer term solutions for people to eradicate the need for foodbanks in the future.

 Support available from libraries £132,000

From the 21 December Norfolk’s network of 47 libraries will offer free hygiene packs with essential toiletry and sanitary products, as well as ‘warm and well’ packs including things like blankets and warm socks. People will be able to go to libraries and pick up these packs in a discreet way, when they need them.

Other support

We are exploring ways we can provide winter support to some specific groups of people who do not always access mainstream support, such as Carers, Gypsy, Roma, Travellers, and those supported by the Council’s People from Abroad Team. This will be promoted through the relevant channels once funding is confirmed.

 Local support in the community provided by district councils £1,400,000

Funding has been divided up in proportion to the number of Universal Credit claimants in each district as follows:

Norwich                                       £301,000

Great Yarmouth                           £275,800

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk        £221,200

Breckland                                    £193,200

South Norfolk                               £151,200

Broadland                                    £128,800

North Norfolk                               £128,800

City, district, and borough councils are using their in-depth knowledge about their residents and local community to proactively target support to where it is most needed. This support will be delivered through existing local organisations and council services who come across individuals and families in need. City, district, and borough councils will be in touch directly with partner organisations with more detail about their individual schemes. Links to local council officers for more information can be found at the end of this briefing. To ensure adequate funds are allocated at a local level we will continue to review demand and spend with each local council and make adjustments accordingly.

 How long is this funding in place?

This additional Government funding for winter support ends in March 2022. Vouchers/ grants can be distributed until the end of March 2022 and must be redeemed/ fully spent before the end of April 2022.  Edenred vouchers will expire on 30 April 2022.  We will review the demand and funding allocations at the end of December to reprofile to meet need as necessary.

 How can people access support?

People can go to www.norfolk.gov.uk/wintersupport to find out how to access the support available. Organisations and support workers can also do this on people’s behalf. If people have problems accessing online services, then they can visit their local library or call us on 0344 800 8020.

What can I do to help?

If you are working with, or aware of, a family who you think may be eligible for free school meals, who are not currently receiving them, please encourage them to speak to their children’s education provider or support them in that conversation where needed.

Please direct people to the website www.norfolk.gov.uk/wintersupport so that they can find the right support for their needs.

If someone needs emergency help with food or fuel, then direct them to the Norfolk Assistance Scheme www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS or tell them to call 0344 800 8020.

 Who can I contact for further information?