To help support residents who are most in need due to the impact of the cost of living crisis, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has developed a £250,000 programme of initiatives which has been funded through the Council’s Covid-19 reserves.

A Council spokesperson explained that the initiatives are the result of “extensive consultation” with elected members, health and education workers, the voluntary, community and charity sectors.

“The Council’s programme seeks to provide assistance to those likely to be most impacted by the cost of living crisis, which, the evidence suggests will be families with children, those living with disabilities and older people. The Council’s support will also provide assistance towards the increased cost in household heating and energy costs, food insecurity and access to transport,” said the Council spokesperson.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, the Council spokesperson gave an outline of the initiatives, a breakdown of how much of the £250,000 will be dedicated to each and when they will start, including the following:

£80,000 for provision of direct emergency fuel support via St. Vincent de Paul from December.

£12,000 for financial support for established foodbanks within the District from December.

£28,000 for support to schools wishing to offer additional food provision such as Breakfast Clubs and Healthy Snack initiatives from January 2023.

£7,500 for small grants to Older Peoples’ groups for luncheon clubs through the South West Age Partnership from January 2023.

£1,500 for the expansion of the Slow Cooker programme which is delivered by the Council’s Health Improvement Team – ongoing.

£20,000 for financial support to Easilink and Fermanagh Rural Transport to mitigatee.

£31,000 to provide a 25 per cent funding uplift for community organisations in receipt of Council funding including Community Premises Support funding from December.

£15,000 for additional financial support for the independent advice services in the District – Fermanagh Community Advice and Omagh Independent Advice Services over January, February and March 2023.

£30,000 for a development of a register and provision of financial support for the establishment of Warm Spaces from January to March 2023.

£24,000 for a development of a Winter Wellbeing programme from January to March 2023.

£500 for the provision of further Outreach events including Lisnaskea Library on 07 December 2022, Irvinestown Library on January 11, 2023 and The Patrician Hall (Carrickmore) on February 8, 2023.

A Warm Coat initiative by Council staff is ongoing and no extra funding will be dedicated to this.

Funding

The Council confirmed to this newspaper that the funding for these initiatives has come from its Covid-19 reserves, not directly from savings from the cancellation of the Hallowe’en festivities and official Christmas lights switch-on events in the district.

When asked by this newspaper how do individuals, schools and organisations avail of the relevant initiatives, the Council spokesperson said: “For some of the initiatives, schools and organisations will apply to the Council and for other initiatives it will be a financial contribution to organisations which the Council is already working in partnership with or it will be a direct referral of individuals.”

The spokesperson continued by outlining the following:

Schools – The Council is working with Education Authority to issue an invitation to school principals to apply for a contribution from the Council towards any additional food provision for example breakfast/snack initiative.

Slow Cooker Programme – Community organisations wishing to run a Slow Cooker programme can apply to the Council Health Improvement Team. Contact details on the Council Cost of Living Support page.

Community Premises Uplift – This is an uplift to funding already provided by the Council and is automatically paid to those organisations – no further requirement to apply.

Warm Spaces – Organisations are being asked to join a register for the District if they are providing a “Warm Space” for residents. In addition, if organisations are able to provide a warm space that meets additional criteria, a contribution of up to £500 will be offered by the Council.

CVS Wellbeing Programmes – the Council will be seeking delivery partners and the programme will be launched in early 2023.

Full details of the range of initiatives and eligibility are available on the Council website www.fermanaghomagh.com.