Purpose

The Cost of Living Grant Fund was set up as
part of the Council’s wider response to the cost of living
crisis. It is intended to support voluntary sector organisations in
their work to help residents through the cost of living crisis by
boosting the current offer of community spaces and food provision
in Richmond to enable people to keep warm and fed as well as
supporting other VCS led projects with a Cost of Living
focus.

A decision was taken by officer delegated authority, in
consultation with the Lead Member, to set up a £250,000 grant
pot, which voluntary and community sector organisations could bid
to, based on their own proposals to respond to the cost of living
crisis. This was reported in the paper Cost of Living Support
Update, which was agreed at the Finance, Policy and Resources
Committee on 16 November 2023. In line with other Council small
grants, final decision on the Cost of Living Grant Fund was taken
via delegated authority to the Assistant Chief Executive, in
consultation with Lead Members.

Content

Decisions on the Cost of Living Grant Fund
awards taken with delegated authority to the Assistant Chief
Executive in consultation with Lead Members.

Organisations receiving grant awards

Shepherd’s Star (Registered Charity No. 1196520):
£14,028

Funding was awarded for a weekly community space offering a warm
space, food provision, access to a community fridge, winter
wardrobe provision and an 'all-in-one' hub offering specialist
support around homelessness, mental health, addiction support,
advice and benefits.

The Real Junk Food Project (Registered CIC No. 10942656):
£9,150

Funding was awarded for the set-up of a weekly Community
Café and Surplus Food Hub in Ham.

Total awarded: £23,178