A panel of Richmond councillors have given final approval to the first wave of grants for community projects tackling the local impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The £100,000 Covid-19 Response Fund was set up as part of the Council's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The aim is to get money quickly to organisations that are actively helping vulnerable people through the crisis.

Members have approved the first round of financial awards to six organisations supporting vulnerable people and those self-isolating with food, medicine and other essentials and to promote activities to reduce social isolation.

Projects were chosen that could have an immediate, positive impact.

Priority was given to those organisations already working with the people of Richmond who face a sudden increase in demand for their services, or who need to adapt to new ways of working.

This funding is in addition to other available grants – including Civic Pride.

Further grants will be announced over the next few weeks.

Cllr Michael Wilson, Chair of the Equality, Communities and Voluntary Sector Committee, said:"Community and voluntary groups across the borough are doing incredible work to support vulnerable people during this crisis. There have also been an amazing number of people volunteering to help out.

"Groups have reacted quickly and come up with creative ideas to carry on serving the people who need them.

"Our emergency fund has been set up in recognition that this is an unexpected pressure for many services and the extra financial support is vital."

Successful applicants in the first wave include:

Hampton and Hampton Hill Voluntary Care

Funding for two laptops, telephone upgrade and volunteer travel costs. This will enable them to continue support vulnerable residents in the community.

Mortlake Community Association

Funding to help them continue to reduce social isolation by purchasing six telephone conferencing subscriptions to set up networks between elderly and vulnerable users

Richmond Health Watch

Funding towards the cost of DBS checks for volunteers to support the voluntary sector across the borough.

Richmond Talking Newspaper

Funding to help purchase a USB duplicator and memory sticks to continue recording local and community news in audio form for blind and partially sighted residents.

South West London Environment Network

Funding to help expand three posts over the next three months to participate in the Council's #RichmondGiveBack campaign and provide nature-based education tools (videos and blogs), such as building insect hotels, and resources that link with the national curriculum, that families can use at home and in their gardens.

The Real Junk Food Project, Twickenham

Funding to help fund an additional support worker, petrol and PPE costs to help distribute food to vulnerable residents in the community.

Further information on financial support for the voluntary and community sector is available here