Grass roots, community led organisations in England will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 through the Comic Relief Community Fund. The Fund is supporting organisations to deliver projects within four strategic themes; A Safe Place to Be, Children Survive & Thrive, Gender Justice, and Mental Health Matters. Funding is available for both project delivery and organisational development. To be eligible, organisations need to have an annual income of less than £250,000 and must be able to demonstrate how people with lived experience of the issues being tackled are involved in the organisation and the project. The fund is being managed by the environmental charity Groundwork. The fund is being managed by the environmental charity Groundwork. The next funding round will be open to applications from the 31st October 2022 until the 30th November 2022. Comic Relief Community Fund to Re-Open for Applications (England)

Small grants of up to £400 are available to support vulnerable older people living on low incomes in England and Wales. Friends of the Elderly currently have four grant streams open for older people who are of/over state pension age, have savings of less than £4,000, and who do not fit the criteria for other funders. Whilst priority will be given to funding essential items including clothing, food, medicines, and books, the funding can also be used to help with the cost of replacing everyday items, small home repairs and mobility adaptations; help older people get online; and to help with unexpected bills. Applications must be made via a third-party Referral Agent such as a charity, local authority, housing association, Information, Advice and Guidance provider or social services representative. Applications can be made at any time. Grants for Older People on Low Incomes (England & Wales)

To register you will need to go to the Kensington and Chelsea Social Council booking page on their website: The KCSC booking page can be found here.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Nigel Jacques, Sobus Head of Organisational Development and Enterprise

The British Gas Trust has launched a new Energy Support Fund to help British Gas customers in England, Wales and Scotland who are struggling to pay their energy bills. This fund, has been set up in response to the increasing cost of living and rising inflation, including Ofgem’s most recent price cap increase. Through the fund, thousands of eligible British Gas customers with fuel debt of £250 to £1,500, can apply for grants to help pay their energy bills over the coming months. The fund will remain open until all the money invested has been awarded. In addition, the Trust also runs the Individual and Families Debt Write Off Fund which is open to British Gas and non-British Gas customers with an energy debt between £250 and £1500 British Gas Trust Launces Energy Support Fund (England, Wales and Scotland)