GRANTS of up to £500 have been made available from Devon County Council for community groups tackling coronavirus.

The Covid-19 Prompt Action Fund will provide flexible resources to organisations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the social and economic consequences of the outbreak.

Community led schemes that involve: Deliveries of food and medicines, support for accessing online information, transport, and schemes keeping communities connected should apply for the grant.

An email sent to all county councillors said local and national Government were doing everything in their power to slow the spread of the outbreak.

Groups without their own, separate bank account, small local businesses and individuals may apply but they will need to do so with the support of an accountable constituted organisation acting on their behalf either as guarantor or as the holder of the funding, such as their parish council.

The funding can be used to address issues such as:

Safe deliveries of essential goods and services to people who are isolating, for example food and medicine.

Supporting people to access online information and services.

Starting virtual support groups to help people who are isolated to stay connected and to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Transport related initiatives, for example the use of voluntary car schemes to deliver essentials, medicine and meals.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: ’The coronavirus is having a huge effect on Devon and it’s important that we are helping to support residents to remain resilient and support each other even during these challenging times.

’There is some excellent work going on within many communities to support vulnerable residents and to maintain people’s wellbeing while they are isolated.

’We hope that the Prompt Action Fund will provide rapid and flexible financial support to better enable community groups to tackle some of the issues they face safely and in the ways that work best for them.’

If you are uncertain how to do this then please contact [email protected] and mark your email SUPPORT in the subject line.

The application form can be accessed online at: