Terms and Conditions
The Council has set out the below terms and conditions that establish criteria for access to the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities funding.
Applicants must read, understand, and meet the aims and terms and conditions of the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund to be considered for a funding award.
There is limited funding available and submitting an eligible application does not guarantee an award of funding. The Council’s Drug and Alcohol Commissioning Team reserves the right to decide how the funding is distributed, for example when there are more eligible funding applicants than available funding.
The Council reserves the right to refuse to award funding to organisations based on its own justification, or on any change of legislation, policy or law.
Aims
The aims of the fund include:
- raising awareness of drug and alcohol recovery communities, recovery support, and where people can get help
- creating community spaces and activities for individuals working towards recovery from drug and alcohol issues
- improving perception of individuals and services involved in recovering from drug and alcohol substance misuse
- encouraging drug and alcohol recovery through community groups and activities, as well as Southend’s specialist support offers
- supporting the recovery of individuals experiencing drug and alcohol recovery issues by offering positive community-based or social activities
Some examples of activities that could meet these aims include:
- making drug and alcohol recovery more visible in Southend
- inspiring and encouraging those who may be impacted by substance misuse or addiction to take part in a recovery community, and to access relevant support or treatment
- raising awareness of support for drug and alcohol recovery
- raising the profile of individuals who have changed their lives for the better
- offering or hosting meaningful activities (e.g. sports/arts/cultural/social)
- building social networks, recovery communities and peer support groups
- increasing accessibility to treatment and recovery support
This opportunities fund is one part of a wider programme of initiatives funded by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities that also aim to support the following outcomes:
- An increase in individuals receiving recovery support
- An increase in individuals receiving structured drug and alcohol treatment services
- An increase in individuals showing good progressing in treatment services
- A reduction in hospital admissions for drug and alcohol misuse
- A reduction in long-term health conditions associated with drug and alcohol substance misuse
- A reduction in drug and alcohol related deaths
- Improved early identification and prevention of drug and alcohol substance misuse
Eligibility Criteria and Funding Restrictions
To be eligible to receive funding:
- applicants should be a voluntary, community or non-profit making organisation.
- individuals or unconstituted groups wanting to apply must be endorsed and supported by a voluntary, community or non-profit making organisation
- in this case, the organisation must complete the application on behalf of the individual
- activities should support the aims and outcomes of the opportunities fund
- the organisation must provide all required documentation, including but not limited to
- a completed online application form
- a copy of the organisation’s annual accounts (if not available, an explanation why)
- the charity/ company registration details (if applicable)
- a copy of certificate of public liability insurance
- a breakdown of items of equipment/expenditure with quotes/cost estimates/extracts from catalogues
- return all required and signed documentation that form the conditions and contract of funding within a reasonable timeframe, typically within two weeks of notification of award
The fund is not available for:
- Healthcare services, such as structured rehabilitation, medical or psychotherapeutic treatment. The focus of the funding is improving awareness, supporting wellbeing, and building local recovery communities and is not for providing medical or specialised health treatment.
- Activities that do not support the aims of the fund (e.g. activities that do not specifically support or prevent individuals experiencing the impacts of drug and alcohol substance misuse)
- Groups whose main aim is political campaigning
- Council funds cannot be provided to political campaigns or parties.
- Activities or projects that promote religion
- Religious groups may apply, but the activity or project should be inclusive of all irrespective of religion and ideally contribute to social cohesion and /or social inclusion, social wellbeing.
- Routine maintenance of equipment/premises
- If the organisation would be expected to repair, refurbish or maintain equipment or premises we should not be funding this. However, if new equipment, furniture or refurbishment for the project will enable increased access for people with protected characteristics this may be considered.
- Projects that have already taken place
- Activities cannot be funded retrospectively. Projects or events that have already been planned but have not been delivered may be considered.
- Groups that have unexplained uncommitted/unrestricted funds that could be used to fund the activity
- If applicants have a high amount of reserve funds, they should explain their reserves policy to justify how much they are holding and why they need additional funding
Requirements on successful applicants
If their application is successful, to receive funding applicants must:
- agree to all conditions of funding and return required signed documentation
- deliver the project or activities as promised in the application form referred to as ‘the project’
- carry out funded activities by 31st March 2025
- comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the implementation of the project
- submit reports detailing the use of funds and the outcomes achieved
- respond to requests and communications from the council within a reasonable timeframe
- acknowledge the support of the fund in any materials produced or events organised as a result of fund
- ensure that all records, including financial records, relating to the project are accurate and up to date
- ensure records related to the use of funds are available for audit upon request
- any unspent funding must return to the Council following 31st March 2025
Applying for funding
If your organisation would be interested in applying for up to £9,500 to support these aims, then you can apply online via the application form
If you would like to learn more, you can contact us at SouthendDAAT@southend.gov.uk to find out more about the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund.