VCSE organisations in Greater Manchester are being urged to access the thousands of pounds of funding that could be available to support them through the coronavirus outbreak.

Voluntary, Charity and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSE) across the city-region can access various funding streams, available locally and those available to organisations in the sector across the country.

The VCSE sector is facing a wide range of challenges, including around cash flow and medium to long-term sustainability.

A range of packages are available to VCSE organisations in Greater Manchester to support them through the outbreak and help them to continue to deliver their vital services.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) portfolio lead for Communities and Co-operatives, Councillor Allen Brett, said: “Now more than ever our charities are doing incredible work to support some of the most vulnerable members of society through the coronavirus pandemic.

“However, at the same time many of our charities are also struggling for funding to continue to provide their vital services. People across Greater Manchester rely on these organisations and need them to survive, this is why it is so important that charities are accessing as much funding as they possibly can.

“I would like to thank everyone working across the VCSE sector for all of their continued efforts in helping people and their communities in these challenging times.”

Some of the packages available include National Lottery Awards for All, which is offering grants of up to £10,000 to organisations, including those supporting people at high risk from COVID-19.

The National Lottery Reaching Communities England programme is offering between £10,000 and £100,000 of funding, while a Greater Manchester support fund has been set up by Forever Manchester providing grants of up to £5,000

Barclays' 100x100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme is offering charities which are supporting coronavirus-related efforts to apply for a £100,000 grant to help them through this period. The deadline to apply for this grant is Friday, May 22.

The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity previously had an open call for applications for up to £10,000 per organisation to support the Greater Manchester emergency homelessness COVID-response.

The ESF Community Grant has launched a targeted programme in response to COVID-19. The round is called Re-Connect and seeks applications from a wide range of voluntary organisations which are ready to reach out by using approaches which tackle the new and emerging barriers arising from the impact of COVID-19. Grants of up to £20,000 are available across Greater Manchester to eligible organisations in the VCSE sector. Applications close on June 3.

Big Society Capital has also launched a £100million programme of loans and investments to help get much-needed emergency funding to social enterprises, charities and small businesses in disadvantaged areas affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Groups in Bury can bid for a share of £10,000 to support them, through the Standing Together (Community Safety) fun.