Cost-of-Living Grant Fund

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has reopened its Cost-of-Living Grant Fund, designed to assist groups and organisations whose work helps people struggling with rising prices. 

This activity may be linked to improving health and wellbeing, personal finances, employment opportunities, tackling food poverty and more. Funding can also be used to cover additional expenses associated with delivering cost-of-living support, such as increased utility bills or staffing costs from longer opening hours. 

Applications can be made for a maximum of £2,500, which must be spent by the end of March, while there is no minimum amount. 

Sharon Smith, Team Manager of Action for Children, Vale Intensive Family Support, successfully applied for funding last year.

“We applied for the cost-of-living support fund and secured £2500 for use with families across the Vale of Glamorgan,” she said. 

“This funding supplemented our work, and we were able to support children who are on the edge of care with a spring activity. 

“We were also able to provide families with cleaning packs and hygiene kits so the grant made a huge difference to families we support. 

“One mum of three who received a cleaning kit cried when we gave to her, saying she had tried to clean with water but it doesn’t cut through the dirt.” 

A short form must be completed by Sunday, September 29 to apply for a grant, which can part fund an activity, in which case details of other funding arrangements are requested. 

Follow-up questions might also be asked if further clarification is needed.

Cllr Eddie Williams, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said: “The cost-of-living-crisis is forcing many people to make intolerable decisions. Having to choose between paying energy bills or buying food should simply not be acceptable for anyone in any community. 

“The Council has a range of support available to those struggling due to rising prices with our Cost of Living Grant one of those. 

“That offers financial assistance to groups involved in activities that help those in need.”