Lloyds TSB Foundation grants £1.4m to advice sector in first half of 2011
In the face of funding cuts for advice services across the country, Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales has already made grants of over £1.4million to advice, advocacy and outreach charities in the first six months of 2011, followed by a further £270,000 awarded in July to six Citizen Advice Bureaux (CABs) in England.
CABs in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District (£29,000), Herefordshire (£50,000), Liverpool Central (£35,000), Blackpool (£51,500), Basildon (£32,100) and Rushmoor (£28,700) have all been awarded grants that cover core costs such as salaries, travel, training, office and premises costs.
Linda Kelly, Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, says: “CABs and other advice charities are finding it difficult to secure grants for essential core operational costs and are having no choice but to cut back on staff or close down services. In this our 25th anniversary year, the Foundation is proud to continue its commitment to the advice sector and CABs, which help disadvantaged people to access the advice and services they need in order to improve their lives and play a fuller role in the community.”
Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice said: “Across the country Citizens Advice Bureaux are looking at a varied but tight funding picture. For those bureaux being supported by the Lloyds TSB Foundation this money will make a substantial difference, allowing them to continue to provide the high-quality, free, independent and confidential advice and financial education services that their communities rely on.”
Regional charities with an income of up to £1 million and national charities with an income of up to £5 million can apply to the Foundation’s Community programme to help support their work with disadvantaged people and communities.
www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk