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COVID-19: Emergency Grant Funding Available for Local Voluntary Organisations

Council News & Services

Common Pond 

Hailsham Town Council is pleased to announce that, at its online meeting of Full Council held on Wednesday 29th April, it was agreed to set up an emergency funding grant scheme, of which Hailsham-based charities and voluntary organisations which are supporting the community through the coronavirus pandemic are eligible to apply.

Since the Government has introduced lockdown measures to combat the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, local groups and organisations have been established or developed to provide proactive help to sections of the community in need of help or support.

The Town Council has identified an ‘underspend’ from the Council’s Communities Committee budget from the previous financial year and it was agreed by Council members that this money should be used to support these organisations with emergency grants where needed. The Town Mayor and Chairman of the Council has also volunteered to incorporate what remains of the Chairman’s allowance (£778.00) for the current civic year to add to the emergency grant fund.

Keen to support groups who are directly helping people to overcome the effects of Covid-19, the Town Council will be awarding grant funding from a £14,278.00 budget to eligible organisations which apply. A maximum of £2,500 will be allocated to each successful applicant.

The emergency grant scheme is not linked to the community grants scheme which the Council already operates on an annual basis and those organisations which have already received grant funding from the regular scheme are still eligible to apply for an emergency grant.

The Council has already provided £2,500 emergency funding for ‘Hailsham Crisis Support’, a group managed by Sunflowers Mental Health & Well-Being CIC, which supports the vulnerable and elderly in Hailsham during this difficult time.

For eligibility criteria and to request an application form, please telephone the Town Clerk on 01323 841702 or send an email to john.harrison@hailsham-tc.gov.uk. The deadline for applications is Friday 15th May 2020. All applications received will be taken into consideration and applicants will be notified of the Council’s decision as soon as possible thereafter.

“We will be awarding emergency community grant funding to help support local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations who are actively supporting our most vulnerable residents during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Town Mayor and Chairman of Hailsham Town Council, Cllr Paul Holbrook.

“In these difficult times, it is excellent news that the Town Council is in a position to be able to assist organisations financially in their endeavours to help our most vulnerable residents. It’s crucial that the local community works together and supports each other financially or by other means.”

“Many community organisations and voluntary groups in Hailsham have set up dedicated groups and channels during the COVID-19 outbreak which provide assistance to the vulnerable, elderly or disabled in the Hailsham area, whether it be mental health support, drop-off and pick-up services, food delivery or shopping.”

“I am extremely grateful to the local community and volunteers who are offering assistance to those who need it, and I am truly amazed by the response of you all to the public health emergency.”


Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk