Nominate a local community group in your local Town for a chance of getting a stage in ₤20,000 grant fund

BOOST drinks, leading functional drinks brand, as created a ₤20k fund, which is being made available to community groups who are looking for funding to help drive change in their communities.

As part of the brand's 20th Anniversary celebrations, they have launched their:- 'Choose Now, Change Live's' initiative; offering grants that benefit the local community and positively impact lives. Groundwork, a national charity working with local communities, will support Boost by administering grants to successful applicants.

Boost is calling for local community groups to get involved and nominate themselves so that Boost can help them make a difference in their communities and truly facilitate change to be in with a chance of receiving help through the ₤20,000 grant.

'Choose Now Change Lives' supports local organisations and groups that benefit their community and have a positive impact on people's lives, something Boost champions by working with local independent retailers in the heart of the community.

Adrian Hipkiss, Marketing Director at Boost said:- "We are incredibly excited to be working with Groundwork on our 'Choose Now, Change Lives' initiative, to offer important grants to communities who need it most. Having worked exclusively with independent retailers for 20 years, we know just how important local shops are to the communities they are in. We are firm believers in supporting activity at a local level. Community groups are the life and soul of the areas we all live in; something that's more important now than ever and will continue to be in the future."

Groundworks national chief executive, Graham Duxbury, said:- "We are pleased that Boost is making this commitment to local communities and we look forward to helping them ensure funds raised get to where they're most needed. Given the circumstances we are all living in at the moment, any support we can offer communities to ensure they can improve their local places and spaces will be of great benefit to all involved. We look forward to seeing the innovative projects put forward."

To nominate a space or project that needs some help, please fill out a nomination form on a hub on the website.
 

EU nationals urged to #ProtectYourRights

EU nationals across Liverpool are being reminded that they need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to:- '#ProtectTheirRights.'

Over 5,300 EU citizens who are on the open electoral register will receive a postcard this week reminding them that they need to apply as soon as possible to the EUSS to ensure that the rights they have to live, work and access healthcare in the UK remain the same after the deadline, 30 June 2021.

The mailing is part of the Council's '#NewRelationship' campaign that is supporting EU nationals, businesses and wider residents in the 1st months following the end of the transition period. The postcard features the text of a poem that was also used in the campaign's launch film and it is also being distributed to international food shops as well as the City's food banks.

Liverpool has already had at least 1 application from every country covered by the EUSS. So far, there have been 32,580 applications from EU nationals as well as those from:- Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, who are also covered by the scheme. Over 10,000 have been granted settled status and 12,770 have been granted pre-settled status. (Data from the Home Office up to 31 December 2020).

Acting Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Wendy Simon said:- "We deeply value the contribution made by European Scousers to our City. They are our colleagues and our friends and we want them to choose Liverpool as their forever home. There are now just under four months to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and I urge everyone to do this as soon as possible; please do not leave it until the last minute. At the moment EU nationals have the same rights as before, but for this to continue after 30 June 2021, as you must apply to the EUSS. For most people it is quick to apply using the app, but if you have any questions or you need support please contact Citizens Advice. They are the commissioned service to offer support in Liverpool and have dedicated workers who can give advice."

There is no fee to apply and most people are able to complete the application quickly online. To find out how to apply and also support and advice available in Liverpool please visit the Council's website:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/Brexit.