Community and voluntary groups to benefit from £3.2m Derbyshire County Council cash
Community and voluntary groups aimed at supporting older and vulnerable people are in line to benefit from a share of £3.2 million if Derbyshire County Council gives the grants plan the go-ahead.
The county council’s Cabinet, which meets next Tuesday (24th April), will consider giving grants to 230 local voluntary and community organisations across the county.
These range from larger groups and organisations, including Age UK Derby and Derbyshire, the Alzheimer’s Society Derbyshire and the Derbyshire Carers Association to around 150 smaller groups including local lunch clubs for older people.
The grants are being kept at the same level as last year, despite council efficiency savings, and some are being given as part of joint funding with the NHS.
The groups set to benefit provide a range of services and support aimed at preventing, reducing or delaying the need for people to use mainstream social care services.
These include groups supporting people with disabilities, carers, people with poor mental health, people who are deaf of have a hearing impairment, people with Alzheimer’s and their carers.
Other groups in line for funding include those aimed at keeping people fit and mobile, helping people to get out and about and supporting lonely or isolated people.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Charles Jones said: “These groups provide valuable services to older and vulnerable people and can stop, reduce or delay people’s need to use mainstream social care services and help them to live independently for as long as possible.
“The services they offer can make all the difference to people’s lives, helping them to stay fit and well, be involved in their communities and stop them feeling lonely.”
Coun Jones added: “We are making a significant investment in services aimed at keeping people well and supporting them to live independently which we believe is vitally important.
“This is why, despite the efficiency savings we are having to make across the council, we have kept the level of funding for these groups at the same level as last year.”
