Haringey coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

Fifty voluntary and community organisations based in Haringey are receiving grants, as part of a £600,000 council project which recognises the vital work the sector does in the borough. 

Voluntary and community organisations make a massive contribution to community life – and have been significantly affected by the pandemic. Haringey Council approved the Community Organisation Support Grants, to help local groups that have suffered financial losses due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Both nationally and locally, voluntary and community organisations have been hit hard by the pandemic, resulting in shortfalls in funding, severe staffing difficulties and reductions in services offered with some even having their survival threatened.

A survey by local community organisation, Bridge Renewal Trust, indicated that 90% of organisations they contacted are suffering or may suffer financial impact due to the pandemic.

Haringey responded to this by making available a £600,000 package of support for the borough’s voluntary & community sector, comprised of £500,000 in grant aid for local organisations and £100,000 to fund a 6-month rent break for those based in council buildings. 
Haringey’s support has been put in place despite a continuing lack of clarity around the government’s intention to offer infrastructure support for voluntary and community groups. 

The council recognises that without urgent support, the impacts of the pandemic will have a long-term effect on the quality of life and wellbeing of communities in Haringey. The voluntary and community sector do so much to support communities at the earliest opportunity and without their support residents are likely to experience poorer outcomes. 

These include residents who are at greatest risk from Covid-19 such as older people, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people who are sleeping rough.

Kevin Lincoln of Tottenham Community Sports Centre, said:

“This grant means so much to our charity and will allow us to continue with our work here in Tottenham. These are testing times for everyone and it’s important that our organisation can continue to help the residents of Tottenham.”

Cllr Mark Blake, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“I’m pleased that 50 of Haringey’s vital voluntary and community organisations will be receiving much needed help to cope with losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Haringey’s voluntary sector does outstanding work with some of the most vulnerable people in our borough. 

“It’s important that the council does its part to help keep local voluntary bodies going, but I’m calling on the government to do much more for the sector during this time of national crisis.”