Grants available to help people through self-isolation
With the high rate of positive coronavirus cases across Devon right now, there are growing numbers of people required to self-isolate.
For many fortunate enough to experience only minor symptoms and with people to help them, ten days self-isolating is OK. It's work round-able.
But for others, self-isolating can be very difficult, especially if they live alone, they’re unwell, or have other responsibilities outside the house.
Devon County Council is making small to medium-size grants available to local voluntary and community groups who can help people during people’s self-isolation period - groups that can support with:
- getting food and other supplies
- caring responsibilities
- practical things, like dog walking
- mental health and wellbeing, including loneliness and boredom
Those self-isolating not only include people who have tested PCR positive for the virus, but also those who have been advised to self-isolate - such as known contacts of people who test positive who are not vaccinated; or ahead of a medical procedure.
The funding is to help them with the practical, social or emotional support they need, so that they can self-isolate properly, and so that they don’t potentially pass the virus onto others.
Not-for-profit voluntary, community and social enterprise sector groups, town and parish councils, charities, small groups, or a combination of any of them, can apply for the funding.
Grants typically can be up to £5,000 for small projects, and up to £20,000 for larger projects. Applications for larger projects will be considered.
Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member responsible for communities, said:
"With case levels high in Devon at the moment, there are a lot of people self-isolating, and many of them relying on support from others to see them through the immediate period.
"We want to help. We'd like local groups who are offering this sort of support to contact us, and tell us about their projects.”
Information about the grants are available on our website.
Or to discuss an application, contact Hannah.reynolds@devon.gov.uk
