As the anchor organisation in the bid and conduit for funding, Oak Tree joined forces with local third sector interface CVS Inverclyde to identify organisations seeking financial support to meet additional running costs and maintain key services.

This includes hot meals and lifeline grocery deliveries, crisis energy support and wellbeing checks, temporary staff appointments and volunteer outlays.

It is anticipated that more than 1,000 individuals and families currently experiencing negative impacts due to the pandemic, can continue to be supported on a weekly basis thanks to the funding.

For Oak Tree itself, funding will support increased demands on its services, which have remained active during lockdown.

This includes the appointment of a temporary crisis intervention officer to provide enhanced support for tenants at crisis point due to issues arising from COVID-19, such as mental health, significant financial hardship through changes to income and employment, as well as family situations, including bereavement.

CVS Inverclyde, which has been at the frontline of service delivery throughout the pandemic, will benefit from funding to bolster several key projects. This includes the appointment of a temporary Volunteer Coordinator to work with its team who have been busy accrediting, training and managing the hundreds of people who have pledged their support through its Volunteer Inverclyde service.

Funding will also help maintain its prescription collection service and Inverclyde Life website, its evolving community asset register, now repurposed and listing details of vital service provision during the crisis.

Local organisations also benefiting from a share in the £140,000 are:

• Belville Community Garden for its self-isolation boxes
• Branchton Community Centre to continue its support for lunch deliveries
• Broomhill Community Gardens and Hub for community support
• Compassionate Inverclyde for back home boxes and essential hospital items
• Inverclyde Community Fund to boost its special COVID-19 Fund and benefit at least 20 local community groups
• Inverkip Hub for community support
• Mind Mosaic Adult Services for its therapeutic support of key workers
• Parklea Branching Out for community support
• Port Glasgow Salvation Army to support community based volunteering
• Starter Packs Inverclyde range of household items for vulnerable and shielding

Individuals also benefiting from a share in the £140,000 are:

• The Recovery Café to support its work
• The Wise Group/IHEAT boost for its crisis energy fund
• Unity Enterprise food for families in need
• Your Voice for wellbeing checks staffing/sessional costs

A board spokesperson for Oak Tree Housing Association said: “This is a most welcome award from the Supporting Communities Fund for families and individuals across Inverclyde. As well as our own award to bolster our support for tenants in need, we have been delighted to act as the conduit for funding that will enhance so many vital key services that have been created, and maintained, by community organisations and grassroots groups throughout the pandemic.

“Working in partnership with CVS Inverclyde, we have ensured that there is a formal network in place to coordinate the delivery of services, alongside our public sector partners. As the majority of projects are established, the funding means they can continue to provide vital support during the current lockdown period for people unable to access services, as well as for our most vulnerable in society who will need to continue isolating.”

Charlene Elliott, chief executive officer CVS Inverclyde, added: “This Supporting Communities Fund is great reward for our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrates the strength of our voluntary sector across Inverclyde.

“Together, we have ensured a cohesive, coordinated response to supporting our local communities through the delivery of key services, especially for individuals and families most in need.”

Oak Tree Housing Association is now distributing funding to each of the successful organisations.

• Read all of our articles relating to COVID-19 here.