Community groups supporting vulnerable residents are being invited to apply for grants of up to £2,500 to fund their work.

Staffordshire County Council has set aside £200,000 for the new #DoingOurBit Community Grants Scheme. It is open to groups and organisations of all sizes that work to boost health and wellbeing, reduce social isolation, improve the lives of families or help older people to stay independent.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how the scheme would soon be open for applications.

Following the scheme's launch, councillor Victoria Wilson, cabinet member for communities and culture, told Thursday's full council meeting applications for funding would be opening next week.

She said: "The fund will be given to support groups and organisations that help two key groups of people; vulnerable older adults and vulnerable children and families.

"Groups can ask for up to £2,500 and successful bids will be announced to members the week beginning 30th November.

"We have achieved amazing things with our People Helping People and Covid funding and now we're able to assist the most needy citizens even more."

Councillor Johnny McMahon, cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing, said: "The intention of this scheme is these monies are released to these voluntary sectors before Christmas, which will be a particularly challenging time for many.

"I think this is a great opportunity in terms of the £100,000 going to the disadvantaged elderly, who often have low income and are intrinsically vulnerable, in order to give them the dignity of keeping away from statutory services and remaining in the community.

"Children are suffering a great deal in terms of loneliness, isolation and anxiety about the virus and this is apt in terms of its timing because it is World Mental Health Day on Saturday."

Fellow councillors welcomed the new funding scheme.

Councillor Mark Winnington said: "It's brilliant this is being brought forward. In my area, with the previous community grants we had for Covid, the money could be put into different groups and I can only say how brilliant those groups have been and they have really delivered with the money we have given them.

"I've been involved with the fire brigade in Gnosall and council officers trying to address problems with suicide and the campaigns we have got to get people to talk about suicide.

"These are the most vulnerable people – people that we can help – and just a little bit of a cash injection can help with positive effects on society"

Councillor Jill Hood said: "It's great that we are able to do our bit. I have never felt so humble as when I am speaking to the various groups who contact me.

"The common theme that comes out of the conversations I have is the absolute dire mental health situation. I really worry about the long term effect and this money goes somewhere towards community groups being empowered.

"The resources out there for mental health are sadly lacking and I hear it all the time when (people) raise it in conversation. They can't get appointments, they can't get through to doctors, the service they are offered is absolutely poor and this scheme has highlighted this.

"I'm delighted that it has and we are going to try and find a way to improve the mental health resources on offer."

Councillor Charlotte Atkins said: "I very much welcome this scheme, given the tremendous contribution that voluntary sector organisations have made during the pandemic.

"But it's vital the county council is totally transparent about where this money goes to ensure the community has confidence in these schemes."