Charity supporting families urges groups to apply for funding

Faith in Families is among dozens of organisations to successfully secure grants from the council in recent years.

A new round of funding is now available as part of the council's largest ever package of support to help young people, families and older residents as part of the 'Here for you this Winter' campaign.

Almost £650,000 is available to help support those struggling with the cost of Christmas, school holidays or who are facing loneliness or isolation.

Applications are now open for charities, community groups and clubs to apply for grants if they are running any of the following schemes:

• Free food for pupils during the school Christmas and February half-term holidays.
• Swansea Spaces providing warm and welcoming places for people to socialise and take-part in activities.
• Direct Food Support via foodbanks and other community and charity initiatives tackling food poverty and food insecurity.
• Activities for young people and families at weekends and school holidays.
• Activities for older people during the winter.

Cherrie Bija, Chief Executive of Faith in Families, said: "To help individuals and families during the winter, it's important that we all work together and collaborate.

"Faith in Families is grateful to Swansea Council for the funding we've received in the past to provide these extra services.

"This support has allowed us to run free activities, provide meals, and create warm, safe spaces for our families, which is vital during the tough winter and Christmas period.

"These warm, safe spaces are a lifeline for many who are struggling. We encourage any group or organisation that can provide support to apply for funding and boost their efforts, especially in partnership with each other.

"Together, we can make a real difference. Together, we can be here for Swansea this winter — with a great big Cwtch"

Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: "I'm always amazed at the work Cherrie and the team do here in Swansea.

"I'm proud that the council has supported Faith in Families over the years and that this year we are making more funding than ever available to charities and organisations.

"This support will add to many other council-run initiatives already announced including the return of free bus travel on 19 dates in the run-up to Christmas and New year, the Together At Christmas event where we provide a free Christmas dinner for people who are lonely, vulnerable or homeless at the Brangwyn Hall in partnership with JR Events and Catering and our Always A Bed pledge so any person who finds themselves homeless in Swansea is offered a bed or safe place to sleep if they want one."

Organisation can apply for funding by visiting: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/winterwellbeinggrant

The deadline to apply is Wednesday November 20.