New Funding For Merton Voluntary Schemes

Helping people remain independent

Voluntary groups in Merton are being urged to apply for funding from a new grants programme to fund initiatives which will empower people to live independent and fulfilling lives and live in their own home for as long as possible.

Merton Borough council is calling on voluntary sector organisations to submit bids for the funding, by demonstrating how their proposed service would result in people's increased independence.

Examples of services to benefit from funding include:

  • A support service offered by Age UK to those who need incontinence advice
  • A network of volunteer drivers developed by Merton Community Transport
  • A network of community advisers designed by Wimbledon Guild to support people who may be isolated by bereavement or find being a carer challenging
  • A mentoring and buddying scheme developed by MertonVision.
  • A neighbourhood carer peer support network set up by Carers Support Merton.

Council leader Stephen Alambritis said: "Unlike many other councils, we are retaining our adult social care grant funding of £1million. We have agreed this very practical programme with the voluntary sector under the nationally-recognised and award-winning Merton Compact principles which set out to provide quality services to the people of Merton through partnership with the voluntary sector."

Chief executive of Merton Voluntary Service Council Chris Frost said: "Merton is bucking the national trend by retaining grants and continuing to invest in its local voluntary sector. Over the past couple of years there has been a shift in the funding culture. 

"It's now more about the service provided than any one particular organisation. Some groups were not successful in their bids for funding, but we will be supporting those to plan for their future in a variety of ways such as identifying alternative funding, pooling resources with similar organisations and working more with volunteers.  This will help ensure continued support for members of those groups."

January 25, 2013