The intent is to lever in small support grants of £2,500 to fund all/part of the cost of any local initiatives that organisations have in mind to help in alleviating the deleterious effects the cost of living may be having upon the local community/identified service user group that are served/supported by EVH members.

EVH said: “The scheme will consider any reasonable proposals with the exception of using the grant money to make direct payments to/paying personal bills for individual tenants/service users. Just about anything else will be considered: from funding a heat, meet and buffet evening for elderly residents; through to supporting young children by providing warm outdoor clothing during the winter months; toys at Christmas and so on. If in doubt as to whether your idea will qualify, make a positive assumption. If you have to ask us, do so by telephoning the office – we don’t want emails on this point thanks.

“All grants awarded will be precisely £2,500 – no more nor less. As mentioned above the grant may be used to fund all or part of the initiative you have in mind.

“EVH member organisations which are part of a larger group must use all of the grant money within their own organisation only – no part of the £2,500 is to be passed onwards throughout other parts of the group.

“We expect the scheme to be popular and therefore, sadly, no more than one grant will be paid to any organisation.

“As this scheme is intended to support people during the crucial coming few months, we ask that any grant money we provide is spent by 31 March 2023. Please keep this in mind when submitting bids.”

How to apply

Set out your initiative on no more than a single side of A4 – minimum font size 12 point. Give a brief description of your idea and how it will help local people/service users. If other agencies, voluntary groups are involved please tell EVH a little about them. Give a rough estimate of the total costs that are involved and how the EVH Grant will help meet these. If the £2,500 will not fully cover the costs involved, tell EVH where the balance of monies is likely to come from.

Submit bids by email to Contactus@evh.org.uk no later than 10:00 AM on Monday 5 December. Quote “EVH CoL Support Grants” in the email subject line, and include contact details (email/phone) for the person who should be contacted in all matters concerning your submission.

Adjudication Process

All bids will be assessed by a small panel comprising EVH Executive members, and supported by senior EVH officials. The panel will conclude its assessment process during week commencing Monday 5 December with grants then being paid, by cheque only, over the subsequent few days.

All who have submitted bids will be advised of the outcome late in week commencing Monday 5 December. Once a decision email has been sent no further correspondence will be entered into. There is no scope to appeal decisions of the adjudication panel.

Reporting back

EVH does not need a complex financial report accounting for the way in which the grant has been applied. Instead, no later than 31 March 2023, please send another single sided A4 sheet setting out what you have done, how it helped and any learning points. Most of all send in some pictures – which EVH will publish as part of a short booklet showing all the good work that EVH members have been involved in over the difficult winter months. EVH may also invite some successful bidders to attend its 2023 Annual Conference and deliver a workshop.