Funding Round-up – Grants & Support from KCC & Medway Council (Part 2), Autumn 2023

MVA offer a further collection of announcements focusing on themes of funding and support for Individuals aimed at helping charities and similar groups continue their work.

Whilst every effort has been made to provide up-to-date information, due to the varying nature and progress of public policies and other related activity, MVA do advise that some of the details below may have changed since the time of its issue and ask that readers please check with each organisation’s website for the latest news.

Support to Reduce your Energy Bills from KCC
For those who may have a concern when paying their energy bill, Kent County Council (KCC) is offering online advice and guidance for residents experiencing financial difficulty.

From asking your supplier for help to details of financial help for households, the Council offer a variety of solutions to help residents with paying their energy bill.

More details are available at the KCC website.

Cost of Living Support from Kent Together
The established 24-hour helpline can also support vulnerable people in Kent and Medway who may need extra help during the Cost-of-Living crisis and similar daily challenges.

Initially launched during the COVID outbreak, Kent Together is a service that can act as a single point of contact for anyone in Kent or Medway who is in urgent need of supplies or medication while having to self-isolate.

Coordinated by KCC, Kent Together can assess the needs of individuals and liaise with community hubs in districts, delivering suitable help to vulnerable people with the financial challenges they experience.

The helpline is a collaboration between KCC, central Government, district, borough and local councils, the voluntary and community sector, the NHS and other partners all working to make sure the right help is available for vulnerable people.

It can also be used to report concerns about the welfare of someone else.

If you are vulnerable, or know someone who has an urgent need that cannot be met through existing networks, you can contact the “Kent Together helpline” at http://www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether, or by calling on 03000 41 92 92.

More details are available at the KCC website.


Exclusive - Household Support Fund from Medway Council
Medway Council continues to deliver support for vulnerable Medway households to help them during the Cost-of-Living crisis.

As reported previously, The Household Support Fund facilitated by Medway Council provides support to vulnerable households in Medway.

Funded by the UK Government, the scheme delivers various funding and support solutions for those most in need of assistance to help with significantly rising living costs.

More information and how to apply is available from the Medway Council website.

Local grant giver and community support organisation Kent Community Foundation (KCF) also has services that can offer support to individuals and families in need. To find out more, you can contact KCF on 01303 814 500.

MVA are also continuing their efforts to provide support and advice for the Charity Sector during these challenging times with their Reference Guide to Cost Cutting Measures, available in their Advice and Support pages.

If you would like to see coverage of specific news or subject to help your charity, your project, your community group or enterprise, you can get in touch by email at info@mva.org.uk, you can also contact MVA via the website.