The voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups that have received the financial support will use to the money to run a range of projects, including provide emergency food supplies, running workshops on budgeting and digital skills, and mentoring services to help residents to maximise their income and build financial resilience.
Among the VCS groups who successfully applied for £20,000 each from the grant scheme are COPEF Training Skills who work to support the borough’s African communities, IRMO – the Indoamerican Refugee and Migrant Organisation – who support Spanish and Portuguese speakers and Share Community who work with disabled people. Twenty-six grants have been awarded to warm space winter projects.
Councillor David Amos, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living, said: “The council recognises the ongoing contribution of the voluntary and community sector, including faith groups, in providing cost of living related support to Lambeth residents disproportionately impacted by the crisis.
“They are uniquely placed to identify the complex needs of residents and to lead initiatives that mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis for our local communities, such as the warm spaces pilot last winter.
“This small grants fund builds on the work they are already doing in many cases and is part of the wider 12-month £10million package of support for residents announced in May that is making a real difference to the households that are struggling the most.”
To find out more about the support available for residents in Lambeth visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/costofliving
