The educational charity Cambridge Online has received a grant of £15,000 to support 105 families who are financially vulnerable. The money will buy equipment to help refurbish laptops and buy tablets and data packages for online access. They also provide free ongoing support to all families who use the service. The aim of the new scheme is to provide computer devices and internet connections to help South Cambridgeshire families and households gain online access for education, to access services or for social interaction. More information and to apply for the scheme can be found here: www.cambridgeonline.org.uk/internet-devices
Andrew Entecott, Chief Executive of Cambridge Online, said: “We are very pleased that South Cambridgeshire District Council has again recognised how important digital inclusion is for their citizens – especially during these hard times. This grant is a real boost and will help get more local people set up with their own computer equipment, internet connections and digital skills training provided by our network of volunteer digital champions.”
Other grant recipients include:
Cambridge City Foodbank, which was awarded £3,000 to help expand the fresh food offer in Trumpington, Cambourne and Northstowe. The money will also support families in South Cambridgeshire with other food and fuel provision.
Care Network, which was awarded £1,000 for its ‘community navigator’ and ‘help at home’ teams, which help people to continue to live independently.
Age UK, which was awarded £8,000 to support older residents through the community warden scheme, and to help to provide a fruit and veg service for older people.
Smaller grants, which have been awarded to South Cambridgeshire Parish Councils, local food networks, community food banks and Covid community groups.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “I am delighted that we were again able to offer financial help to struggling families. The new Joint Administration at the County Council is committed to providing support to the children and their families in recognition of ongoing impact of the pandemic and decided it was imperative to top up the grant offered by the Government to make a real difference to those families who need it most.”
Cllr Bill Handley, Lead Cabinet Member for Community Resilience, Health and Wellbeing, said: “The Covid Local Support Grants are designed to support local organisations and charities which are helping vulnerable people in our community as we move out of Covid restrictions. Working together, Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council are supporting charities that are helping many hundreds of households in the district.”
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