Organisations across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, which provide domestic abuse or sexual violence support, are being invited to bid for additional funding provided by Staffordshire Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
A total of £384,000 additional funding has been allocated to the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office for schemes in Staffordshire which are helping support victims through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The emergency funding is to cover the period from 24 March to 31 October 2020, to meet the additional costs charities or organisations have incurred or will incur whilst adapting during the pandemic and to cope with increases in demand resulting from it.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Matthew Ellis said: ‘I’d like to thank all the services for the way they’ve adapted to the challenges of Covid-19 to continue to support vulnerable people.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many extra challenges and pressures for lots of organisations, so this additional funding will be crucial to so many services that have been forced to adapt during the current pandemic.
‘It is hugely important services providing support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence can continue their work during this unprecedented time, as it is widely anticipated there will an eventual increase in the number of people that need their support.
‘I’d like to reassure our communities that there is still help and advice available online and over the phone, with organisations working hard to ensure they can still support you when you need it most.
‘The last few months have been testing for so many people, but we are beginning to see positive signs that we are through the worst. People across Staffordshire and Stoke-On-Trent have done so well in sticking to the lockdown guidelines and by sticking together we will come through this.’
This bidding process for the additional funding is open until 1 June for services which are currently commissioned by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office, as well as those that aren’t.
Organisations should return their completed funding form to nicky.jolley@staffordshire-pfcc.pnn.gov.uk by 5pm on 1 June 2020.
Key Documents
Appendix B – Funding Request Template
