Funding available for Sheffield disabled people's organisations

The National Emergencies Trust has announced £1.5 million of funding to support grassroots Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs) across the UK.

Areas that the money is expected to be used in include supporting independent living for disabled people, tackling problems related to isolation caused by lockdown and shielding, and supporting disabled people in issues related to finance and their income.

The funding period is eight months from 1 November 2020 to 30 June 2021. The minimum grant that can be applied for is £1,000 and the maximum is £25,000.

DPOs across Yorkshrie, including Sheffield, are being invited to apply for the funding.

Kathryn Littlewood, who works for Disability Sheffield and is leading the project, said: “We are looking for small local organisations in the Yorkshire and Humberside region that are doing amazing things to support disabled people during these difficult times.”

Examples of the kind of work that the money could be used to support include: funding to produce local covid related information in easy-read, British

Sign Language and community languages; funding to cover staffing and venues for a befriending network; and funding to set up a group which focuses on making sure the needs of disabled people are considered in covid recovery plans.

Any organisation where at least 51 per cent of the governing body or management committee are made up of disabled people, and which has a constitution, is eligible.

Applications open in September.