EASTLEIGH Borough Council is launching the Eastleigh Covid-19 Community Recovery Grant.

The grant will provide local community groups and organisations with the chance to apply for funding to help local people who are still recovering from the mental and physical effects of covid.

The Borough-wide scheme offers grants of up to £10,000 and priority will be given to groups that support the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people and those who were shielding and/or self-isolating.

The grant will also cover individuals experiencing hardship caused by the pandemic, organisations that support mental health, bereavement and emotional needs arising from the pandemic, and mental and physical health support for young people and adults including mobility issues and long covid.

The fund is open to any non-profit making community groups, voluntary organisations, trusts, friendly societies, social enterprises and community interest companies in the borough.

They can provide a service directly, offer advice or information or promote self-help and must have a wide community benefit and be open to anyone, the council said.

Applications open September 18 and can be made until March 1, 2024, or until the grant funding is fully allocated, whichever comes first.