Extra funding available for transport to booster appointments

Secondary funding is available for voluntary sector organisations that received previous grants to provide essential transport in Hampshire, helping local residents to access safe, affordable travel to GP, hospital and vaccination appointments during the summer of 2021. This second round of grants is o help local residents to access safe, affordable travel in support of the programme of booster vaccination appointments in Hampshire.

Community First will be distributing grants of up to £1500 on behalf of Hampshire CVS Network, and groups who had money previously are encouraged to apply for a second grant, but will need to fully report on the first grant before approval of a new application.

The grant is part of the next phase of Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) given to local authorities by the Department of Health and Social Care to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and support local economies and public health. The COMF Fund, being administered by Hampshire County Council, will help organisations continue their vital work and overcome any barriers as the lockdown eases and demand for their services grows.

The Essential Transport grants will enable organisations to recruit more volunteer drivers, to cover the cost of journeys, as well as to develop and promote existing community transport, Good Neighbour and voluntary car schemes. It will help to ensure that Hampshire residents have safe and affordable access to their essential medical appointments.

Tim Houghton, Community First’s Chief Executive, said, “Hampshire’s voluntary sector has never been more needed and we continue to have an important role in supporting more vulnerable residents as we support the booster vaccination rollout in our communities. We are therefore pleased to be able to distribute this second round of funding to local voluntary organisations so that they can continue their vital work and support residents with accessing essential appointments. We would like to thank to our partners at Hampshire County Council for allocating the Contain Outbreak Management Fund to Hampshire CVS Network.”

The application form for organisations is available here. Please send any queries to Mandy Harris, Community First’s Community Development Director, at mandy.harris@cfirst.org,uk or call 07500 781 421.