MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17/02/2021
The National Lottery has given Southend Emergency Fund a £65,000 grant to back frontline groups fighting COVID-19 in the borough of Southend-on-Sea. The total sum raised so far is now over £200,000 with help from individuals, local organisations, businesses and the council.
The latest cash injection has come from the National Lottery Community Fund to help support frontline organisations dealing with the hardship of locals caused by COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic the Southend Emergency Fund has made 79 grants to groups, organisations and causes which are reaching the frontline fast.
The process to apply has been made as easy as possible and grants of up to £3000 are available immediately with a simple application form. Organisations can even apply again after only four weeks for extra help. Decisions are made quickly, applications received by 12pm on Tuesdays can see funds sent out within the week.
The help Southend Emergency Fund has provided so far has included food vouchers for young people, IT equipment for people who are isolated and care packs to help with mental Health issues. It has also provided mobile phones to support those who needed them when working from home.
At a time when Southend-on-Sea is hit badly by COVID-19, the Southend Emergency Fund has been there to help those with lack of money, mental health problems and with anxiety caused by lockdown. Charities across Southend have been given money to help others as the demand for support has never been greater.
Alan Kirkman, Chair of the fund said “The lottery grant will help to provide much needed resources to those working with residents in Southend as many people struggle due to loss of family income or mental health issues.”
For more information
The application form along with further information can be downloaded at
www.southendemergencyfund.org.uk/apply-for-funding/
Help us raise further funds or donate:
More info at www.southendemergencyfund.org.uk
ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRES: Email
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hi-Res photos and campaign videos are available please make contact via the publicity email address above for copies.
Who has set the Southend Emergency Fund up?
A group of concerned individuals and organisations under the leadership of Alan Kirkman, Peter Dominey, Ivan King, Julie Eady and Geoff Fulford. The fund is administered by the charity Shared Space and Everymind at work. Biographies are available on the website. Southend Emergency Fund is under the auspices of Shared Space www.charityshop.co | Registered charity no 1161862.
What makes them qualified to run something like this?
The key people are all involved in running other charities and business and have a wealth of experience in setting up and running new initiatives.
Why don’t I just give my money to the charity or person who needs it directly?
In a fast-changing situation, we are able to assess the current need with the front line charities and organisations and deliver it to those channels that are able to remain open and in contact with their clients. If giving direct to a charity, if that organisation has to temporarily close for any reason and cannot support their clients, the help will stop, but the money may be tied up and unavailable to those that need it.
How much can I donate?
Any amount you can afford. The website starts at select amounts of £30 + but people can enter less.
How can I donate?
Secure online giving is available via the website www.southendemergencyfund.org.uk
Do you have a fundraising goal?
We have reached our first target of £200,000 and have now extended this to £250,000 as our second target.
Which local charities and organisations will benefit from the fundraising?
Any frontline organisation that can currently deliver support. So far grants have been awarded to (up until end of April) • 57 West • Active Life • Aspirations Day Program • Communities and Sanctuary Seekers Together (CAST) • Connectability • HARP • Hill Mental Health Support • International Drama Academy • Isaiah Project • Leigh Buddhist Centre • Milton Hall Primary School • MyTown Southend CIC • One Love Soup Kitchen • Packed with Smiles • Peabody • SAVS • Shoebury Salvation Army • SOS Rape Crisis • South Essex Advocacy Services • Southend Carers • Southend in Sight • Southend Sea Cadets • Southend SEND Parents* • Southend Vineyard • SSAFA • St Andrews Open House • St Vincent de Paul Westcliff • The Hub (Get the Kids Out) • Trust Links • Welcome to the UK.
This list is not exhaustive and there will be others who can approach SEF via the website.
What criteria helps you decide who receives funding?
Decisions on awards will be made on the strength of each application, taking into account the following:
- Is the applicant organisation active in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea?
- Is it still able to address beneficiaries’ current needs in the present crisis?
- Is there clear evidence of need?
- How many people will benefit from the requested grant and in what ways?
- Would any grant adversely affect beneficiaries from accessing Universal Credit or other benefits?
- Are the costings realistic and do they represent best value?
- What level of unrestricted reserves does the applicant currently hold?
- Has the applicant confirmed that they will not withhold any part of the grant for administration or management costs?
- Does the applicant hold a UK bank account (as grants will usually be made through BACS)?
- Is the applicant able to offer an independent referee who can speak knowledgeably about the organisation?
- Have they agreed to return any grant which is not deployed within the agreed time?
- What light-touch monitoring would be appropriate for each grant made?
How long from the application will it take for someone to receive the funding?
We have tried to keep admin to a minimum while still protecting donations. There will be a telephone questionnaire to determine need, a donation protocol that will be signed by charity and emailed back and money then transferred on a weekly basis. Subject to donated funds being available the money should be in a charities account within a couple of days.
I am an individual and could benefit from funding, how do I do it?
Individuals would need to be either be known by an existing organisation or they would need to be referred by another agency. To start with we will tap into those agencies authorised to distribute food vouchers but this may well widen according to size of the donation fund. We will also work with SAVS to develop a network of contacts and access points.
I am part of an organisation and would like to apply for funding, how do I do it?
They will apply via the website www.southendemergencyfund.org.uk/get-help/ where they will be able to download a donation application form and request a telephone need assessment call.
How long with SEF run for?
It is envisaged the fund will last until the needs of those affected by the coronavirus have diminished. However, this may be for a considerable time after self-isolation has ended as many will be suffering the effects for an extended period.
Where can I go for more info?
As we are intending to work with existing organisations all public contact will be either through those agencies, the fund website or the Southend Emergency Fund Facebook page.
