Councillors have backed a £567,000 package to help residents facing hardship, support the voluntary sector and to allow more people across the district to improve their physical health.
Local organisations will receive funding enabling them to continue support for vulnerable residents previously funded by central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
As UKSPF funding ended in March, Folkestone & Hythe District Council is stepping in with funds to share between key community spaces including the community hubs in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh – as well as Sunflower House, Folkestone Rainbow Centre and Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre.
These organisations will use the funding to continue providing low-cost meals, food and fuel vouchers, digital support, warm spaces and to signpost relevant services.
The council’s existing grant to Citizens Advice - which helps with debt and benefits, housing, consumer rights, legal matters, immigration and employment queries - will also be continuing.
The amount each of the district’s 30 councillors has to spend supporting activities and events in their local areas is also increasing, with each now having £5,000 to spend.
This will enable grassroots community organisations to provide even more activities to support local areas. This additional money is on top of donations to a host of community events including Charivari, the Folkestone 10k run and Music in May.
As a significant step in addressing poor health outcomes in parts of the district, £75k has been allocated to increase activity levels and boost health and wellbeing.
Cllr Mike Blakemore, Cabinet Member for Community and Collaboration, said: “I am delighted at the wide range of community support we are providing, from helping residents struggling with the hikes in heating and food prices to enabling more people to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.
“These grants also support the work of community and voluntary organisations who do such a vital job across our district. It is a tough time for them, and I am determined we do all we can, not just financially but by working in partnership on behalf of residents.”
This follows a motion agreed at full council in November last year which saw members unanimously agree to the continued backing of volunteer-run services helping people caught up in the cost-of-living emergency.
Find more information about community funding on the council website.