£3.9 million winter funding to help vulnerable in Essex
The support for the winter and beyond has been welcomed by Colchester Borough Council.
The funding package will provide direct support to vulnerable people across the county facing hardship or needing practical, emotion or mental health support.
It's made of up £3.7 million of Covid-related funding from central Government and £200,000 from Essex County Council.
Leader of Colchester Borough Council, Councillor Mark Cory, said: "I welcome this additional funding to help protect the most vulnerable in our community and which comes less than a week after our successful bid for an additional £315,192 to provide longer term support and accommodation for rough sleepers in the borough.
"Throughout this crisis, I have lobbied hard for support to be given to our communities. The move to another national lockdown has brought huge challenges for our local communities and we are committed, alongside Essex, to support them during this time.
"With winter fast-approaching, this additional funding provides a timely and necessary boost for our work to coordinate and support initiatives across our communities that safeguard the wellbeing of residents who need our help the most."
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Essex County Council, said: "This package of support is very comprehensive in its offer and in many cases will provide a lifeline to people during these difficult times. Our approach is to target those most in need and ensure that the support networks are there so that people are given the advice and guidance that they need.
"Lockdowns are difficult for everyone, however, for some the situation is particularly acute. Our investment in foodbanks and holiday hunger programmes will be invaluable to some families this winter. In addition, it is vitally important that families are able to keep warm. Tackling fuel poverty and winter pressures are key to ensuring that children and their families stay safe.
"As we found with the previous lockdown, prevalence of mental health conditions is on the rise, and certainly with colder weather on its way, there will be less opportunity for people to get out and about. This is why intervention around mental health and supporting those grassroots clubs and activities are so vital at this time. This package demonstrates ECC’s commitment to targeting support to the most vulnerable at this tough time."
According to Essex County Council the planned support includes areas such as crisis help, food, those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, homelessness, mental health and emotional support, grassroots clubs and activities, and vital support agencies.