Communities invited to apply for Covid Funding to tackle the spread

Organised by Together in Matson, the t-shirt and poster campaign, has seen residents wearing the distinctive t-shirts to raise awareness of the steps everyone needs to take to stop the virus spreading.

The group based at the Redwell Centre has also encouraged local people to adopt the hashtags #Protectingeachother and #Matsonwins

The idea has been backed by funding from Gloucester City Council which is calling for community and voluntary groups to apply for grants to take forward their ideas on how to raise awareness.

A fund of £25,000 has been set aside by the council from a government grant to encourage and support communities to increase understanding of the regulations and advice around the pandemic. 

So far funding has been given out to a range of groups and examples including community radio station Gloucester FM, Gloucester Muslim Welfare Association who are sending out messages through the mosque networks and Young Gloucestershire and Play Gloucestershire, which is working with young people to help target younger age groups.

Applications are invited from community groups for their own creative ideas which could include:

• Providing COVID-19 guidance, including where additional local restrictions are in place.
• Promotional activity, such as sharing of good practice, signage and advertising.
• Educational campaigns.
• Engagement or tailored communications to sectors or groups.
• Practical activities for example, producing face masks
• Making premises and community spaces safer such as providing signage
• Training for employee’s, community members to deliver compliance messages through engagement

Councillor Jennie Watkins, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “I’ve been really impressed at how keen our communities have been to step up and help others during this pandemic and this campaign is yet another example of this. We’ve had lots of interest already in helping get the message out there. And it’s our local communities that are in the best position to know how to tell their friends and neighbours about steps they can take to protect themselves and their families.”

To apply email grants@gloucester.gov.uk please include details about your organisation, your plans and how they will help increase awareness and the amount you are applying for.