A new fund is launching to help community organisations, voluntary groups and those in the non-for-profit sector support communities through the crisis.
The fund is part of Cheshire's police and crime commissioner David Keane's Safer Communities Fund and will be funded by money taken from Cheshire criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Grants of up to £1,000 will be available for projects which are working alongside Cheshire police and local authorities to support vulnerable people in the community.
As an example, this could be projects which deliver emergency food parcels, provide care to those self-isolating or host virtual activities to relieve the pressures of social distancing on our mental and physical health.
The grants will be processed as quickly as possible to get funds to communities at this critical time.
PCC David Keane said: "I am committed to ensuring that money taken from criminals is re-invested into our communities for the benefit of Cheshire residents.
"This is a particularly challenging time for people throughout Cheshire and I am doing everything I can to work with key partners to ensure there is support in place through Cheshire police, victims services and other support groups.
"But I also recognise that there are many people in our communities who want to help support their neighbours through this crisis and I want to empower them by giving them access to a fund which supports them to take action.
"At this difficult time when many of us are feeling isolated, have financial worries or are maybe even dealing with bereavement of a loved one we all need to work together to keep our communities motivated."
The express funding is part of a wider review of the Commissioner's Safer Communities Fund which will be launched in the coming weeks to support larger scale projects during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond.
More information about how you can apply for the express grant can be found online.
