Coronavirus Community Support Fund Showcase Studies

The Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF) had two main objectives:

• To increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis, through the work of civil society organisations.
• To reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises, ensuring services for vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19 had the financial resources to operate and reducing the burden on public services.

The evaluation partnership interviewed a representative sample of grantholders in order to better understand: the grantholder experience of applying for CCSF funding; how grants were used; and the impact the funding had on organisations, staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.

The findings from these interviews have fed into the process and impact reports, and 21 of these interviews have been developed into individual case studies, which you can access below.

Active and In Touch based in Frome, Somerset, support health and wellbeing by combating loneliness and isolation through befriending services.

Churches Together South Tyneside support older people through home visits and community hubs with an aim to reduce social isolation, and improve the mental and physical health of those they support.

Citizens Advice Wakefield District based in West Yorkshire provide confidential advice to people across a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, pensions and health.

Community Transport Calderdale based in Halifax connects volunteer drivers to people who have barriers in accessing public transport to help them travel around the local area.

Cosmo Community CIC supports people over 50 from the Eastern European Community in Hull, to address social isolation, unemployment, debt and difficulties accessing services.

Fitzrovia Noir based on the Aberfeldy Estate in East London, deliver community based activities related to art and cultural heritage for the whole of the community.

HQ Can based in Leicester City Centre provide mentoring, creative workshops and access to professional recording environments to unemployed young people experiencing mental ill health.

Megan Baker House based in Hertfordshire, provide specific support for children and adults with motor disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s, and other movement disorders.

Norfolk and Norwich Scope Association based in the East of England provide support services for people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and sensory processing disorders.

One King Ministries based in Havering, Essex provide activities and services for older people to support their wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and help them with daily challenges.

Ovacome based in London is a national charity providing support to anyone affected by ovarian cancer, including a telephone helpline, online forums and support groups, regional events, leaflets, resources and a newsletter.

Portishead Youth Centre based in Bristol is a community centre that offers spaces and services for young people from preschool to young adults, as well as parents, senior citizens, and people with complex needs.

Purple Elephant Project based in South West London supports children, young people and their families affected by traumatic life experiences, attachment or developmental trauma.

Regal Respite based in North East England support people from the Jewish Orthodox community experiencing trauma, bereavement or medical issues to get respite by organising short getaways.

Search Newcastle deliver services to older people and their carers in order to reduce social isolation, increase engagement in positive activities and improve mental and physical health.

Smile Group based in Cheshire East, across the four towns of Nantwich, Congleton, Macclesfield and Sandbach, supports mums with their mental health before, during and after pregnancy.

Society Inc based in Greater Manchester provide mentoring and befriending services.

StrongMen based in England and Wales provide bereavement support for men through a telephone peer support service and 'Weekender' trips service to Snowdonia, Wales.

The Forward Trust deliver services for people with drug and alcohol dependence in prisons and communities in the South East, East Anglia, Yorkshire and the West Midlands. They provide recovery, housing and family support.

Transform Lives Company based in Liverpool provide coaching, training, and wellbeing support alongside volunteering and work experience for people looking for employment.

YoungMinds are a national charity providing young people with mental health support through a website and parents helpline. They provide information to young people, parents, and professionals who work with young people.

This page was last updated: 08 October 2021.