£100K fund to help people on Teesside with energy bills
Community groups and charities in Teesside are set to benefit from further help with energy costs thanks to a second £100K grant fund from Tees Valley Community Foundation.
The ‘Warm This Winter’ fund, has been created specifically in response to the issues from rising energy prices. The fund was launched last year to help the most vulnerable affected by rises in energy bills, however this year there is less Government support in this area, so it is likely to be very much needed and welcomed.
Sarah Albaladejo, grants officer at TVCF, said: “We know energy bills still have people feeling very worried and as the weather turns colder, we are looking to help groups who will provide support to the most vulnerable people during this challenging time.”
TVCF has been helping local charities and community groups by distributing grants for more than 32 years. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, which are made up of local companies and individuals, the Foundation has donated more than £35m across the Tees Valley in that time.
“There isn’t the same support from the Government as there was last year and we know from our close contact with groups and charities, it’s a significant concern for people,” she said.
“There are groups working specifically to support our community every day and we want to help them to help others, whether that’s providing a warm space for people to come to, supplying flasks of hot water, delivering hot meals or providing slow cookers to help.”
TVCF’s mission is to empower local communities to address disadvantage and exclusion – the Warm This Winter Fund is operated as a third-party grant, meaning individuals cannot apply directly. Applications must be submitted by a support organisation who has detailed knowledge of the need or beneficiary.
Although applicants do not have to be registered charities, all applicant groups must have an appropriate constitution or governing document, and demonstrate they comply with all relevant safeguarding requirements for the activity for which they are seeking funding.
Sarah urged anyone who wishes to make an application to visit www.teesvalleyfoundation.org and follow the “apply for a grant” links specifying the ‘Warm This Winter Fund’.
If you require any help or support, please contact grants@teesvalleyfoundation.org – announcements and updates will appear via the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/teesvalleyfoundation.