Heart of Bucks, the Community Foundation for Buckinghamshire, recently set up the Bucks Coronavirus Response Appeal to support charities in Buckinghamshire who are most affected and vulnerable at this time of crisis.

In addition to the funds raised by this local appeal, Heart of Bucks have also received funding from the National Emergencies Trust (NET) Coronavirus Appeal to distribute locally.

So far, Heart of Bucks have distributed over £250,000 in emergency funds to Buckinghamshire-based charities, organisations and community groups who are working to alleviate some of the negative impact that the coronavirus has had on the local community.

Heart of Bucks have distributed grants to support a number of local groups. Among the beneficiaries are Aylesbury Foodbank, who are now able to offer more help to disadvantaged people, Buckinghamshire Mind, who are offering online mental health support, and children’s charity Pace, who are providing remote education and therapy to vulnerable disabled children.

The Fremantle Trust used their funding to bring hope to their care home residents. They purchased tablets and Google Chromecasts and staff have taught elderly residents how to use this technology to make video calls to their families, send messages and even get involved with interactive activities, such as taking part in online exercise videos.

“I can’t begin to tell you what a difference the grant has made to our services”, said Sue Faulkner, Community and Lifestyle Manager at The Fremantle Trust. “There have been many tears of joy.

“Birthdays have been shared, sing-alongs with family members, and so much more… We couldn’t have done it without Heart of Bucks acting so quickly on my application”.

Heart of Bucks continue to fund local groups on a daily basis and are encouraging applications from groups in Buckinghamshire who are working to alleviate some the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the local community.

If you are a Buckinghamshire charity, organisation or community group currently running activities or projects to support the community at this time, then Heart of Bucks would love to hear from you.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from both the Bucks Coronavirus Response Appeal and the NET Coronavirus Appeal to groups helping the most vulnerable people in the community.

To read the application criteria and to apply for funding for both funds with just one application form, head to heartofbucks.org/coronavirus-response-funds/.