Kirklees communities that have suffered from pandemic to benefit from £25m government fund

Kirklees Council have been successful in applying for funding from central government which will be used to support communities that have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees CouncilCouncillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council

The ‘Community Champions’ scheme will ensure funding can be provided to support communities and groups who have been shown to be most at risk from the virus.

The funding will also support areas to tackle misinformation and encourage take-up as the vaccination programme expands across the country.

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Kirklees Council will establish a grant scheme which will allow the district's voluntary and community organisations to apply for the funding.

For groups to be successful they must be able to demonstrate they can provide practical solutions that will make a real difference in their local communities.

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council, said: “Since the coronavirus outbreak earlier last year we have been working extremely hard to protect all of our communities and specifically those who are most at risk. It quickly became clear that COVID-19 disproportionately impacted specific groups and this funding will help reduce infection rates, increase vaccine take up and save lives.

“Every single vaccines matters and it’s therefore extremely important that our residents are accessing accurate public health guidance. Misinformation can cost lives and our Community Champions will work with the high-risk groups to further build understanding on the importance of the free vaccine.

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“No one knows our Kirklees communities better than those organisations who are at the heart of them and the local staff and volunteers that work in them. The scheme will also be huge positive in terms of reducing the financial impact which charities and community groups have faced as a result of the lockdown and tier restrictions.”

Kirklees Council will promote detailed scheme guidance and application forms as soon as the scheme is launched.

The Council will receive £494,520 as part of the Community Champions scheme.