New fund to support work with Remploy employees

The Government has announced details of a Community Support Fund to support those individuals affected by Remploy closures. Financial assistance is available to not for profit organisations across Great Britain to make a positive difference to the lives of the disabled individuals and families affected by Remploy factory closures.

The fund has a value of £1,500,000. There is no minimum or maximum amount that can be applied for. However, larger applications may be required to provide more detailed information about outcomes and value for money.

Applications will be considered by the board to ensure a fair geographical spread in the areas affected by the Remploy factory closures. The Community Support Fund is a community-based package of financial and non-financial support for disabled people in the areas affected by the Remploy factory closures.

The overall aims of the Fund are:
* To make a positive difference to the lives of the individuals and families affected by the Remploy factory closures.
* Support individuals to move from sheltered to mainstream employment.

Key Criteria
Applicants must be not for profit and be one of the following:
* Disabled people’s user-led organisation
* Charity
* Voluntary and community sector organisation
* Social enterprise
* Community Interest Companies
* Employee or member owned organisation

Eligible Expenditure
One-off or short-term payments will be provided which will support organisations to support individuals affected by the Remploy factory closures. Projects should:
* Deliver focused outcomes that make a positive difference to the lives of the individuals and families affected by the Remploy factory closures.
* Support individuals affected by the Remploy factory closures to play an active role in their local communities
* Support individuals affected by the Remploy factory closures who want to make the transition from sheltered employment to mainstream employment.

Examples of activities and projects that can be supported include:
* Enabling disabled people affected by the Remploy factory closures to have more choice and control over their lives.
* Providing disabled people with support to participate and have a voice in their local community.
* Developing a range of projects and activities that build skills, offer volunteering opportunities and provide training to support disabled people moving from sheltered employment into mainstream work.
* Empowering individuals to understand and take control of the support available to them, including funding packages.

No match funding is stipulated.

Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
* Ongoing running costs including day to day wage/salary costs, except funding required for day to day wage/salary costs for a project
* Ongoing or regular services from a third party (one-off or short-term services are permissible)
* Reimbursement of travel/childcare costs
* Rent/estates
* IT equipment in excess of the £1,000 capital threshold
* Refreshments
* Gifts
* Working capital or retained funding to cover future running costs and expenditure
* Contributions in kind
* Interest payments or service charge payments for finance leases
* Any UK Government Department or any organisation funded from central government
This list is not exhaustive.

The application must be for a piece of work or project that is not already funded by the UK Government or any of the Devolved Administrations.

Application Procedure
The guidance notes and application forms are available from the Office for Disability Issues website. They are also available to download in Welsh.

Before developing or submitting any application, it is strongly suggested that groups check with their local Ambassador to discuss how much can be bid for from the Community Support Fund. A list of local Ambassadors and their contact details can be found at http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/communitysupportfund

For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:

Contact details:
General Enquiries
Office for Disability Issues
Office for Disability Issues
Caxton House
6-12 Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA