The Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) administration at Uttlesford District Council has provided funding support for fifteen local bodies that coordinate volunteer activity and provide direct support to residents in need.
Neil Hargreaves (R4U)
R4U’s Cllr Neil Hargreaves, who is UDC portfolio holder for Finance, said “Even though much of the recent increased Covid top-up funding has now passed, UDC’s volunteer-sector grant scheme is still able to provide vital funding to enable local organisations. Through the scheme we’re delighted to have recently allocated £310,000 in grants. The biggest recipients are the local Citizens Advice services with funding of £163,000. They provide extensive and free advice to residents about debt and money, benefits entitlement, housing, employment, family and health matters – and much more.”
Maggie Sutton (R4U)
R4U’s Cllr Maggie Sutton, who is UDC portfolio holder for Communities added “Volunteer Uttlesford and the Council for Voluntary Services Uttlesford (CVSU) both play major roles in coordinating and connecting volunteer activity and residents across our district. They have been awarded grants that total £55,000 to continue their important work. In addition, UDC has also provided grant-funding directly to several other local organisations that support residents who are vulnerable or with disabilities or in need. These include Uttlesford Community Travel, Accoro care services, Action for Family Carers, Home-Start Essex, Support 4 Sight, Hearing Help Essex and Uttlesford Buffy Bus.”
Cllr Sutton concluded “As we’ve seen through the last two years of the pandemic, the local volunteer sector has an important role in providing necessary extra support to those residents in need – and in fact are a safety-net for many. With the squeeze on wallets this year, their services are likely to remain important for many residents. The grant allocation committee applaud and thank all the selfless work done by volunteers for their fellow residents in our district.”