Chichester community asset awarded more than £72,000

The Apuldram Centre, which provides services and support to adults with learning difficulties, was given a £72,102 as part of the government's Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF).

£200 million in funding was pledged and was aimed at small and medium organisations in England and was set up to increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the Covid-19 crisis and reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises

Applications to the fund opened at the end of May, the Apuldram Centre submitted an application aimed at supporting their financial recovery.

Since lockdown, the organisation has lost significant charitable income because they have been unable to generate income from their primary purpose trading activities through their café/shop and had to offer a reduced gardening service.

In addition, they lost income as their Hub Club service has had to temporary close, they have also been unable to hire out some of our buildings and not run our planned fundraising events.

Rachel Aslet-Clark, general manager of the Apuldram Centre said : “Thanks to the award from the from the CCSF, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund our financial recovery from Covid-19 has an excellent start, it also means that we have the flexibility to develop some revised community based activities for a small number of people we support who will be unable to return to day services as social distancing measures reduce our daily capacity.

"Thanks to the Government for making this possible."

Support staff at the centre have worked throughout lockdown to deliver essential at home support across Chichester area. Some of the organisations services are still closed and the charity has revised its support to ensure that contact and essential support is maintained to isolated and vulnerable individuals.

While the Apuldram Centres shop/café remains closed to the public, the charity have a community presence at the Florence Park Kiosk off Florence Road. The kiosk is open every day serving hot and cold drinks, ice-creams and snacks.