Electricity network operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has awarded over £320,000 to support communities in their ongoing response to the coronavirus crisis.
Over 200 communities across central southern England and the north of Scotland will benefit thanks to SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund, which was repurposed in March and allocated in early May, to support local efforts to help those most vulnerable during the pandemic.
SSEN funding will help community, parish, town and borough councils to support their communities during the outbreak, with 91 projects providing food and materials to vulnerable community members and 57 projects enabling volunteers to support community coronavirus initiatives. Funds are also being used to provide PPE to vulnerable and frontline workers, run community befriending schemes and improve community communication.
Colin Nicol, Managing Director, SSEN, said:
"As we play our part in keeping the power flowing to homes, businesses and sites critical to the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic, we also recognise the significant impact this crisis continues to have on the communities we serve.
"It's impressive to see how quickly communities rallied together to support those most vulnerable, so I'm pleased our repurposed Resilient Communities Fund will help in their ongoing response, reaching over 200 communities from the Shetland Isles to the Isle of Wight."
Projects benefiting from the quick turnaround in funds include HIVE Portsmouth, receiving £2,000 to provide food and materials to those most vulnerable in the community.
Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council was one of those who thanked SSEN on behalf of HIVE Portsmouth and said:
"We would like to say a huge thank you to SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund for the £2,000 grant given to HIVE Portsmouth to provide food supplies and update leaflets to vulnerable residents through the COVID-19 emergency.
"The HIVE Portsmouth and other voluntary sector organisations are working hard together ensure that the community's most vulnerable residents have access the food and vital supplies they need in these difficult and unprecedented times. Grants like these given to us by companies like SSEN go a long way towards helping us achieve that."
In Scotland, Dundee City Centre and Harbour Community Council received £3,000 for the Dundee Thegither project, supplying food parcels, medicine and other supplies to those in need, providing vital information and the opportunity to talk to those in enforced isolation.
Sheena Wellington, Secretary, City Centre and Harbour Community Council, said:
"City Centre & Harbour Community Council are very pleased to be able to use this money to support the work of Dundee Thegither. The group is currently providing food and other necessities for 300-350 people a week, delivering 10-12 prescriptions and providing a befriending service for a number of people finding isolation difficult."
Since its launch in 2015, SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund has now provided over £2.7 million to 538 local community projects to build resilience and protect those most vulnerable. The criteria for this year's fund was changed following consultation with SSEN stakeholder groups, who strongly supported opening the fund early and targeting coronavirus response.
For a full list of the funds and projects supported, click here.