Earlier this year, Manchester City Council launched an initiative to provide grants of up to £15,000 for local groups and £30,000 for partnership groups.
This was done with the aim of providing additional support for the people in Manchester who have been hit especially hard due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Nearly 100 community groups across Manchester have benefitted from £1m in funding, helping them roll out even more support for Mancunians this winter. Whether this was to help people into education or employment, tackle debt, support people with their mental health or feed hungry people, a very wide net was cast when it came to finding ways to help residents.
The cost-of-living crisis has made a huge impact on Manchester, with people across the city forced to face a number of extremely difficult challenges. This is why the Council has worked over the past two years to do everything in its power to alleviate the worst elements of the crisis and roll out a comprehensive package of support to Mancunians in need.
To date, 83 organisations have successfully applied for and have received funding, using up the full £1m that was allocated for this project.
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “What this project has shown is that there is a huge willingness amongst our communities to help people who are in need.
“There are so many ways in which the cost-of-living crisis has affected people, from social isolation to the cost of a weekly shop, to having a negative impact on people’s mental health.
“What we have seen here is that if given the opportunity there can and will be a tremendous local response to the issues we collectively face. This funding will have been a lifeline for so many people and as we approach Christmas.
“I am incredibly proud on how this money has been spent, and the real-world benefits this will have resulted in.”
This winter, the Council has rolled out even more support for people who are in need. A dedicated cost-of-living hotline has been in operation, providing a one-stop-shop where residents can access support and advice for a range of issues.
Additional support has also been set out for pensioners and residents in receipt of Council Tax Support, with payments of up to £200 being sent out during the winter period.
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