October 2023

Hardship Fund 

The LHP Hardship Fund is set up to support both new and existing customers who may be struggling due to the current cost of living crisis. It will aim to support where there is no alternative external funding, or as a method of topping up funding so all customers can access the same level of support.

Some of the ways which the fund will be distributed include…

• Supermarket vouchers for food, small electrical and household appliances, bedding
• Fuel vouchers
• Curry’s vouchers for white goods – electric cooker, fridges etc
• Argos vouchers for basic furniture – beds, mattresses, sofas etc
• Carpetright voucher for carpeting one essential room where appropriate

The Money Support Service (MSS) at LHP will be responsible for allocating these funds. The MSS will receive a referral for a customer, complete a welfare form with the customer to determine their support needs and reasoning for requesting support (this could be increase in bills, loss of job, etc.) An income and expenditure form will be completed, and evidence is required from the customer to prove their financial hardship via bank statements, for example.

How much financial support will each customer get?

Customers will receive a maximum of £250 per household which will be determined in conversation with the customer dependent on their specific needs.

How will we determine which customers need support?

Following a referral to the MSS we will ascertain what support a customer needs and if appropriate it will come from the Hardship Fund.

Fuel Bank Foundation

The unique Fuel Bank Foundation  solution provides same-day help to address self-disconnection. Emergency credits are made to prepayment meters for families in crisis. Any supplier’s meter is topped up within a couple of hours.

Fuel Bank is delivered through a number of trusted community partners up and down our country, from Local Authorities to housing associations, local debt support charities or community groups.

LHP are a partner with the Fuel Bank Foundation and so our Money Support Team advisers can access the vouchers and get them sent to customers of LHP.

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (South Holland District Council, Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council) are currently consulting on priorities for the next 5 years. This includes priorities for the whole of the sub-region (the three Council areas) and also for the local sovereign councils. The full details are on the website: Draft Sub-regional Strategy consultation – South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (selcp.co.uk)

We would like to invite you to take part in this consultation. The closing date for responses is the end of November. This is the direct link to the consultation: Partnership Sub Regional Strategy (snapsurveys.com)

If you have any questions about the consultation or would like further information please contact Suzanne Rolfe: suzanne.rolfe@boston.gov.uk

East Lindsey

Thanks to an award from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Active Lincolnshire have been able to initiate their Let’s Move Lincolnshire – Digital Activity Pilot.

The pilot project aims to engage with people who want to be more physically active and who would benefit from the positive health and wellbeing impact, through working with physical activity providers and clubs to raise awareness of their offer and increase digital marketing of the activities available through the Let’s Move Lincolnshire website and activity finder.

The focus will be on promoting activities and connecting with groups who support older adults, people with long term health conditions, people with a disability, minority ethnic communities, women, and girls.

They are keen to understand what is happening with LCC and in your area! What physical activity, sport or movement opportunities are taking place in your town, village, community or street? Active Lincolnshire want to reach people and groups who are doing great things for residents across East Lindsey. If you could spend around 10 minutes of your time sharing what you know via this form, it will be of great value to the project over the coming months.

Skills Reach

Skills Reach announce the relaunching of this great opportunity for local employers (5+ employees), and community groups to apply for a £1,000 grant per Champion to support numeracy development and become a Lincolnshire Multiply Champion.

Multiply is a UK government-funded 3-year programme to help adults (19+ years old) to improve maths skills which are critical to personal wellbeing and business growth. It provides free personal tutoring, digital training, and flexible courses to fit with lives, needs, circumstances, sectors, and industries. The fully funded Lincolnshire Multiply programme is available to individuals, businesses and community groups with learning providers ready and willing across the county to support you.

 A Lincolnshire Multiply Champion is:

An organisation or group that recognises the importance of Maths, and its application at work, and in everyday life
Prepared to encourage and support numeracy development within their sphere of influence – be that the workplace, or within the wider community
Examples of how a Lincolnshire Multiply Champion could use their grant include:

Dedicating staff or volunteer time to understand and tackle maths skills levels or barriers and encourage progression
Identifying and piloting innovative approaches (e.g., a lunchtime learning club, family learning)
Supporting take-up of the fully funded Multiply provision available across Lincolnshire
Participating in the Lincolnshire Multiply Champion Network
Innovative approaches are definitely welcome!


Eligible applications that meet the minimum criteria will be awarded the grant on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.  

Multiply Champions Grant – Lincolnshire Multiply Champions – Lincolnshire (2aspire.org.uk) – this page includes a link to the application form. Or contact me!  General information – Multiply – Lincolnshire (2aspire.org.uk)

Shine Lincolnshire are pleased to confirm SurveyMonkey is now live for organisations to commence pre-registration for those looking to apply to the following funding opportunities.

• Suicide Prevention Investment Fund Wave 4
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund – Innovation Programme
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund – Sustainability Programme

 Applications to all funds are submitted online via the link below.

https://shinelincolnshire.smapply.io

Applications will open on 1^st November 2023; however, you can complete your organisational profile in advance.

Funding overview information and dates for all support sessions are attached for your records. 

Please note, one application can be submitted to each fund, for each applying organisation.

We would suggest ample time is allowed to complete your application as late submissions will not be considered. 

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or the Community Mental Health Team during the application process using the contact details below. 

Kerry Stocks       07783 767133   kerry@shinelincolnshire.com     Operations Manager​

​​Donna Pinkney  07568 115629   donna@shinelincolnshire.com   Support & Engagement Coordinator (South Holland & South Kesteven)​

​Paul Bagshaw    07564 044027    paul@shinelincolnshire.com       Support & Engagement Coordinator (West Lindsey, Lincoln & North Kesteven)​

​Ben Cross           07564 044112   ben@shinelincolnshire.com         Support & Engagement Coordinator (East Lindsey & Boston)

Please note: all requests for 1-2-1 support with your application must be received by the dates below – requests received after these dates we cannot guarantee availability of appointments.  Application support will not be available between 22/12/2023 – 03/01/2024 for those looking to apply to the Sustainability Fund.

• Suicide Prevention Investment Fund Wave 4 – Monday 4^th December
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund – Innovation Programme – Monday 4^th December
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment Fund – Sustainability Programme – Monday 8^th January

For general enquiries or to book a place on any of our information sessions please email funding@shinelincolnshire.com     

Supporting Documents:

Information and Deadlines

Further information and slides