Chelmsford City Council launches new grant scheme to tackle transport poverty
A new Transport Poverty Grant scheme will support community-led projects that improve access to essential health services and wellbeing opportunities.
The scheme from Chelmsford City Council supports the council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan, by promoting preventative action and reducing inequalities in the community, and the goals of its Food Plan, by easing food access challenges.
Transport Poverty Grant Scheme
The Transport Poverty Grant Scheme is designed to support residents who struggle to access services due to transport issues. Small grants will be available to community-led projects which help eliminate barriers to services that impact people’s overall health and wellbeing. This includes projects that allow access to healthcare, employment, food, education, social networks, and wellbeing activities.
A total funding pot of £14,000 will be distributed in small grants of up to £1,500, to support short-term preventative solutions that improve access and reduce inequalities.
Councillor Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, says the scheme reflects the council’s commitment to reducing inequalities across Chelmsford district:
““Transport is an important factor when thinking about health, wellbeing and inequalities, as seemingly small transport barriers can have significant impacts. A lack of suitable or reliable transport can lead to missed appointments, reduced employment opportunities, and difficulty accessing food support, as well as increased loneliness and isolation.
Cllr Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing
“We know that, within Chelmsford, transport challenges are often linked to wider issues such as poverty, health conditions, caring responsibilities, or social isolation. From working with partners, our Public Health team understand that community organisations are often best placed to identify practical local solutions – this funding is an opportunity to enable innovative community solutions in order to help reduce barriers.”
Who is the scheme for?
The Transport Poverty Grant Scheme is open to voluntary and community organisations, registered charities, community interest companies, and other social enterprises or not-for-profit organisations.
Health, care or wellbeing providers (including public sector and statutory organisations) can also apply, so long as the project to be funded does not fulfil a statutory duty. Partnership applications will be considered but must be led by an eligible organisation.
What is the scheme for?
The funding aims to support activities or interventions that reduce inequalities experienced by residents facing transport-related disadvantage, by improving access to:
Education and training
Employment
Food support and provision
Healthcare
Wellbeing opportunities (including activities that improve independence and reduce social isolation)
The scheme is focused on supporting community-led projects and enhancing existing services, particularly those that prioritise groups facing the greatest transport barriers. Applications will be assessed by Chelmsford City Council’s public health practitioners.
How to apply
You can and submit your application at http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/transport-grant.
Here you will also find the full grant guidance, which explains the scheme's objectives, who can apply, what can and can't be funded, project timescales, and how the council’s Public Health practitioners will assess applications.
Applications are now open and close at 12pm on Friday 9 October. Applicants will be informed whether their funding request has been granted or rejected by the end of October.
