VIVID pledged funding to community groups and foodbanks that are helping vulnerable people across Hampshire and parts of Surrey and West Berkshire through the coronavirus pandemic.

VIVID is working with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) to allocate £125,000 through the ‘We’re All Together’ Campaign to local community groups and charities that are tackling the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

So far VIVID has awarded nearly £50k to 8 different organisations that are playing a vital role in supporting vulnerable people through a range of local initiatives including providing replacement school meals, a domestic violence helpline, and offering a friendly voice and advice to make people feel more secure and less isolated at this unsettling time.

Organisations that have already received funding include Spotlight UK in Basingstoke, which is using £3k funding to provide food parcels, and Aurora New Dawn who’s received £10k of funding to deliver a 24/7 domestic violence helpline in Hampshire. You can find a full list of the organisations within the notes to editors.  

The funding is already making a big impact within communities across Hampshire. Shonagh Dillon, Chief Executive of Aurora New Dawn said: “This grant has made a huge difference to us. The application was turned around really quickly, allowing us to support domestic abuse victims across Hampshire during these challenging times. In the first week, we received 50 calls. For a new service, that’s unheard of and shows how needed this service is.”

There is still funding available, so local community groups are encouraged to apply. Grants are being turned around quickly and efficiently to help the local groups meet the needs of the local communities. You can find information on how to apply for a grant on the 'our support during the coronavirus outbreak' page.

VIVID has also donated a further £125k to 18 local foodbanks across its operating area, to support the increase in demand as many people face financial pressure and changing circumstances because of the impact of coronavirus.

Jonathan Cowie, Chief Operating Officer at VIVID, said: “Coronavirus is having a profound impact on many of our communities. Our staff are working hard to support our most vulnerable customers, particularly those who are older, self-isolating or facing financial difficulties. But we also wanted to help and support the communities in which we work, and we’re delighted to provide this funding to support to local community groups and foodbanks who are providing help where it is needed most at this time.”

Jonathan Cheshire OBE, Chairman at HIWCF said “We would like to thank the team at VIVID for their generosity and for being the first major donor to the ‘We’re All Together’ campaign which has now raised over £1 million to support local communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The need for local communities to help each other is more vital now than ever, and we are seeing many of our resourceful local charities amending their services to help vulnerable people hit hardest by the crisis.”

Notes to editors

Funding to community groups, so far:

• £5k to Spotlight UK to support them in delivering food parcels to the most vulnerable. They currently operate in Basingstoke & Deane, West Berkshire, Reading, Hart and Rushmoor.
• £10k has been donated to the Vine Centre in Rushmoor to support their work in providing food to the most vulnerable and offering a friendly voice to those in self-isolation.
• £5k to City Catering Southampton to help them provide free school meals for children that need it in the local area.
• £3k to RCS Ltd, who are providing food parcels to families and individuals across Test Valley.
• £10k towards Aurora New Dawn to deliver a 24/7 domestic violence helpline in Hampshire. The service will also be able to refer victims to us for support should the victim wish for our help. 
• Nearly £10k to Home Start Hampshire to support vulnerable families through enhanced digital and telephone support services.
• Just under £5k has been awarded to Age UK Portsmouth, so they can provide support to customers during the coronavirus outbreak and offer free, independent, confidential information, advice and support to adults in Portsmouth and Hampshire.
• £1.8k to Boogie Mites to run online music sessions for VIVID families with babies and pre-school children and also provide intergenerational work by linking this project to VIVID customers in Extra Care Schemes.

Foodbanks VIVID has donated to:

Basingstoke Foodbank / Eastleigh Basics Bank / Hedge End Food Centre / Hound Basics Netley / Farnborough Foodbank / Hart Foodbank / Portsmouth Foodbank  /  Havant Beacon Foodbank  / Southampton Basics Bank / Andover Foodbank / Farnham Foodbank  / Winchester Basics Bank / Meon Valley Foodbank / North Guildford Food Bank / St Vincent de Paul Society Food Banks / Ringwood Foodbank / Waterside Foodbank / Totton Basics Bank