Community initiatives to help residents’ health and wellbeing and support people through the cost-of-living crisis, only have weeks left to apply for council funding.

West Suffolk Council opened applications for its annual Community Chest on 12 July with more than £460,000 made available to invest in work that will support West Suffolk residents.

Charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, faith groups and social enterprises can all apply for funding for projects for 2024/25 but they only have until 6pm on Friday 29 September to get their applications in.

The grant scheme, launched back in 2017, aims to fund initiatives that help people’s health and wellbeing. It has previously funded projects to help people feel more involved in their local community, to reduce loneliness and social isolation, advice and advocacy services, family support, as well as work to help people struggling with loss or other traumatic incidents in their lives.

As it did last year, West Suffolk Council is again looking to support projects that will also support residents through the continuing cost-of-living crisis.

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council said: “There are already brilliant community initiatives, many of which we have supported, that are helping people through this continuing crisis. And if you speak to any of them, they will tell you, they expect things to get worse in the year ahead.

“It’s not just financial pressures such as keeping a roof over people’s head, food on the table and heating on in the winter, that are impacting on the health and wellbeing of our residents.

“It’s also about the knock-on effect that has to people’s relationships, their health both physical and mental, the isolation that having no spare money to meet up with friends, to travel to see family, or having to work multiple jobs just to survive, can bring.

“The pressures on our residents are huge. Of course, these aren’t just issues for West Suffolk and its residents and we want to see more from the Government to address this crisis.

“But in the meantime, West Suffolk is looking to invest Community Chest funds to help our residents and I would encourage groups and organisations to apply.”

To apply for Community Chest funding, view the guidance and then complete the online application at https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/community/community-grants.cfm

The deadline for applications is 6pm on Friday 29 September 2023. Successful grants will be awarded in February 2024 and paid in April 2024.