South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund

*Please note* that this fund began on 25th June 2007 in the immediate aftermath of the floods.  We will continue to fundraise for this purpose for the foreseeable future, but it is likely that our initial grants will not meet the huge need in the area.

Consequently grants will be prioritised in accordance with the criteria we are currently working to.  Please be aware that over time the criteria might change, and in the first weeks the criteria could change very frequently as the funds available try to meet urgent demand.

Please click on the headings below for more information

Emergency grants for individuals and families

Emergency grants for community groups

Information for advice workers

If you would like to know more about this Flood Disaster Relief Fund please contact floodrelief@sycf.org

Emergency grants for individuals and families

Grants are for:

• individuals or families whose homes have significant structural damage or flooding.
• individuals or families over 70 years of age.
• families with children under 5 years of age.

Maximum grant normally £1,000 - £2,000

You will need to

• Answer all the questions on the application form
• Enclose a copy of a document with your name and address on it such as a driving licence, electricity bill or recent bank statement
• Sign the form and return all documents:

We can particularly provide support with the following:

• cleaning up
• emergency repairs
• clothing
• food and drink
• cookers and kettles
• beds and bedding
• basic furniture
• fridge, washing machine

We can consider other requests not mentioned on this list. However each request will be looked at on its own merits.

Priority will be given to households with:

• people over 70
• children under the age of 5
• People with physical or learning disabilities or mental health needs (e.g. receiving Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Attendance Allowance)

Click here to download an application form for individuals and families

Emergency Grants for Community Groups

Who can apply?

• groups providing immediate relief to people who have been affected by storms and floods
• groups providing longer term rebuilding projects
• groups who have experienced significant structural and / or flood damage

We can particularly provide support with the following relief efforts:

• food
• shelter
• clothing
• cleanup

• information/advice
• counselling

• care services (e.g. daycare or respite)

We will also support long term rebuilding or recovery projects

Priority will be given to:

Groups providing support to one or more of the following groups of people:

• older adults
• families with young children
• people with physical or learning disabilities
• people with mental health needs
• people on low incomes

We will also prioritise projects showing evidence of collaboration with other service providers, and those that maximise the use of volunteers

Click here to download an application form for community groups

Information for advice workers

If the people that are approaching you feel that they have been affected by the floods and are in need of financial assistance they may be eligible to apply to the South Yorkshire Flood Disaster Relief Fund.   Before you advise someone to apply you need to make sure that they meet the criteria for the fund. You can download the criteria and application forms below.

Once you have established that they meet the criteria please ask the people involved to send the form to us, or you can do this on their behalf. Could you also mark the application with the location that it was filled in e.g.:  Doncaster/Adwick leisure centre or Sheffield/Howden House and check that they include proof of identity – this needs to be a photocopy of a passport, driving licence or recent bank statement.

We aim to make decisions on individual and family applications everyday and community groups every week. Obviously the volume of applications we receive may affect this timescale.

If you are a voluntary community group that is providing practical support to people affected by the flood and would be able to give more assistance if you had the funding please fill in the group application and return it to us.

For Small Grants to Individuals and Families

The Foundation proposes a small panel comprising

• Trustees of SYCF
• SYCF professional staff
• Nominated representative from each Council

This panel will receive and approve/deny applications online on a daily basis, to enable emergency grants to be made quickly and efficiently.

For larger grants to community groups

The Foundation proposes a specific grant allocation Committee meeting weekly in respect of each council area drawing representation from the affected communities and involving local Trustees. It is proposed that the Committee comprises one member from each of the following groups:

• Trustees of SYCF
• SYCF professional staff
• Chair of existing panels (there are 8 in total)
• Nominated officers from the local CVS’s
• Nominated representatives from Faith Groups
• Nominated representative from each Council
• Nominated representative from one of the communities most badly affected by the floods, such as Brightside, Toll Bar, Catcliffe and Darfield

A BIG THANK YOU !

On behalf of everyone at the South Yorkshire Community Foundation can I take this opportunity to thank you for your support.  We are all working very hard to support the victims of the flood in the hope that together we can relieve their hardship.