Charities: South Holland and the Deepings

Charities play a vital role in supporting our communities, and have a rich understanding of the local areas in which they are embedded, such as in South Holland and the Deepings.

DCMS is supporting the sector across England in a number of ways, including through the provision of grants through, for example, the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme and the Know Your Neighbourhood fund. DCMS also supports charities by growing other sources of funding such as the social investment market and the dormant assets scheme, and building the capacity of VCSEs to bid for government contracts through the Contract Readiness Programme, which increases their sustainability.

Last year, the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund distributed £76 million to VCSE organisations to support them with the rising cost of living. This included funding to organisations in the East Midlands - a full list of recipients can be found online.

The Government values the work that charities do. Resetting the relationship between civil society and Government is a priority, and we want to ensure that the sector is recognised as a trusted and independent partner whose voice is heard. That is why DCMS has been working closely with key civil society bodies to develop a framework for a new Covenant between government and civil society, which was launched by the Prime Minister in October.