Cash grants for groups helping with money and debt

Organisations helping people with debt, money, food and health-related issues can apply for grants of up to £15,000 under a new £500,000 scheme in Medway.

The fund, launched by Medway Council, is aimed at projects that help residents improve their financial wellbeing and avoid, manage and recover from financial crises.

Council leader Vince Maple said the funding was "critically important" during the cost-of-living crisis.

He said: "Some of the key things that we're looking at through these grants are support for carers, food support, tackling health inequalities, support for residents over pension age, and financial resilience and debt resolution."

Jack Packman, chief executive of Medway Voluntary Action, which is managing applications to the scheme, said Medway had a strong volunteer sector and it was hoped the grants would bring about "lasting positive change".

The grant scheme is part of the council's Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which is funded by the government.

The Chatham Community Supermarket, which opened this month, was funded by the CRF.

In its first week, more than 1,200 people shopped at the low-cost supermarket, and almost 2.8 tonnes of food was saved from being thrown away, the council said.