A new fund is being launched to help young people in Kent and Medway whose learning has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 Recovery Fund (CRF) will offer grants of up to £5,000 to schools, colleges and community organisations who deliver education, training or social interventions to young people aged between 14 and 19.

The CRF forms part of the Kent and Medway Collaborative Outreach Programme (KaMCOP), which works to engage and realise the aspirations of young people from specific wards in Kent and Medway where participation in higher education is lower than expected given the GCSE results of the young people who live there.

The fund will be open and accepting applications from 03 March until 02 April 2021 and all projects funded by the CRF must be delivered by 31 July 2021.

Grants are available for proposals that support one of the following key themes: Raising aspirations, personal development, wellbeing, and careers related learning.

Gavin Delf, Kent and Medway Progression Federation Hub Manager, said, “Young people have had their lives turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic, from missed learning and work experience opportunities to increased wellbeing and mental health challenges.

“They now need support to readjust and reconnect so we’re encouraging those working with young people across Kent and Medway to use this new fund to deliver support that will help them think more positively about their future, progress in their education, learn new skills and adapt to the ‘new normal’ in the coming months and years.

He added, “We’ll be using the Easter holidays to review applications and those who are successful will be notified by mid-April, with the first payment made by the end of April, ready for projects to be delivered through the summer term.”

A similar fund was established during the first lockdown in April, helping hundreds of young people across Kent and Medway to adapt to remote learning.

Those applying for the Covid-19 Recovery Fund (CRF) will be required to meet certain eligibility criteria. In exceptional circumstances the board may consider applications up to £10,000. Organisers are particularly keen to fund interventions that support young people who live in the most disadvantaged communities.

Anyone interested in applying for the Covid-19 Recovery Fund (CRF) should contact the Kent and Medway Progression Federation Hub team at kmpf@canterbury.ac.ukfor further information and to request an application form.

Lucy King

4 Mar 2021

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