COUNCILLORS have agreed a £5000 top up to provide a £30,000 grant to Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service (BBWCVS) for the upcoming year.

BBWCVS is a registered charity formed in 1979 and exists to promote, develop, support and represent a thriving voluntary and community sector across the borough, providing a range of services to meet the needs of and strengthen the sector.

BBWCVS' existing yearly grant was agreed to be increased by £5,000 per annum from £20,000 to £25,000 for the period 1 April 2021-31 March 2024 back at a Communities and Wellbeing Committee meeting last June due to the increased strain on their services through the pandemic.

The charity's work during this past year has included supporting over 24,000 residents' access to Covid-19 vaccinations and distributing over 12,500 lateral flow tests across the borough. They've also supported key council projects such as the Digital Buddies scheme, with volunteers providing computer and tech training to our elderly residents.

The decision to award the grant funding to the local charity based in the George Hurd Centre was agreed by councillors at last night's (Wednesday, 2 March) Communities and Wellbeing Committee.

Chairman of the committee Cllr Terri Sargent said: "BBWCVS is a valued partner to the council, supporting crucial services for community and voluntary sector groups and organisations across the borough. We want to continue working with the charity to help our voluntary sector thrive.

"The charity has adapted during the pandemic, and their support for testing and vaccination has been crucial in our borough's fight against Covid-19. Thank you to all their volunteers who provide such a selfless service to the borough for the benefit of our residents."