News releases

More support for those helping residents with the cost of living

 
Local community groups and charities supporting Basingstoke and Deane residents struggling with the cost of living are to be offered even more help by the council.
 
The Cost of Living Community Fund aims to provide financial assistance to not-for-profit organisations to help deliver support services to residents affected by the rising cost of living.
 
To ensure residents can continue to access further support with the cost of living, the council is launching a second round of funding. The total available for this second round is £95,000, which is funded by the council and the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
 
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
 
Local organisations can apply for up to £5,000 of funding and the Cost of Living Community Fund must be used to support organisations with providing direct services and activities to residents of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane affected by the rising cost of living. This includes a range of services and activities such as:
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providing advice and assistance with financial and debt management

providing emergency food supplies or essential household items

providing mental health support to those residents facing crisis due to the rising cost of living

supporting residents with better energy use and energy efficiency

supporting residents with reducing food waste.

 
Cabinet Member for Partnerships Cllr Jenny Vaux said “During this time of rising bills and energy costs, I’ve seen how important it is that the council provides additional support to the organisations that are struggling with the increasing demand to assist residents.
 
“I’m pleased to see such a wide range of organisations are being supported and that this will continue to make a real difference in our communities.”
 
Funding can be used to make capital purchases of equipment and resources to support the delivery of the services and activities but cannot be used to make significant physical changes or improvements to facilities and premises.
 
The deadline for application is Tuesday 18 April 2023 and more information is available at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/cost-of-living-community-fund For enquiries email ukspf@basingstoke.gov.uk
 
The first round of funding, in partnership with the Greenham Trust, supported 10 local organisations with £40,000 of grant funding.
 
Grant funding will support subsidised activities for young people whose families are struggling, fridge and freezer storage for a food bank, mental health support, support for the costs associating in keeping a family pet along with food parcels for families in need.
 
Greenham Trust Chief Executive Chris Boulton added: “We are pleased to have been able to help fund local charities and organisations to support those in need.”
 
Information about all the grants awarded in the first round are published on the council website www.basingstoke.gov.uk/cost-of-living-community-fund