Braintree District Council has announced details of its £1million cost-of-living fund which will support residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
The funding, obtained via the £1m New Homes Bonus, will be spent over a two-year period and will focus on three objectives:
- To provide food security and access to essential goods across the district, making it easier for everyone to reach, including those living in our most rural areas
- To help the most vulnerable by supporting community groups and organisations to do more. These groups are already doing some incredible work and are well placed to identify and support those who need help most
- To enable physical and emotional health and wellbeing for anyone, especially young people, struggling to afford vital access to leisure activities and sports clubs.
As part of the above £1million investment, the Council has provided Braintree Area Foodbank with £98,951 to develop its offer to Braintree residents and ensure those who need access to food and essentials the most receive this support. This includes enabling additional open days for a food collection service in Braintree and recruitment of more staff to deliver food parcels and increase deliveries in rural areas of the district.
To support the voluntary and community organisations across the district, current considerations are being given to the possibility of a grant scheme for the group sector, where they can apply for funding for work that will mitigate the impact of the cost of living.
The council also continues to work with partners including the Active Braintree Foundation, Fusion Lifestyle and the Braintree District Museum Trust to enable physical and emotional health and wellbeing support for residents. A grant scheme via sports clubs to enable individuals and families who are unable to afford access to health and wellbeing activities to continue to participate in their chosen activity is being explored.
Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “We are very aware of the struggles many of our residents are having with the rising cost-of-living. This £1million pound investment will hopefully go some way to helping ease the pressure and ensure funding is delivered to the excellent community groups and organisations in our district to allow them to continue to support those in need in the Braintree district.”