The Association of Voluntary Organisations (AVOW) distributed £250,000 to over 150 applicants over the past 18 months.

Funding came from a variety of sources including Welsh Government, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Council, Wakes Council for Voluntary Action, Comic Relief, Hydro Aluminium and Bowmed Ibisqus Ltd.

The funds are to support organisations adapt to the new pressures of operating with Covid in local communities, activities to provide support to people during the winter period and general support. The successful applicants have been spread across all age groups in different parts of the County Borough.

The funds will support many 100's of people who may have support needs, have problems with poverty, wellbeing and mental health.

John Gallanders, the Chief Officer for AVOW, said: "We are extremely grateful to all the funders who have made it possible to distribute such a large amount of funding. The funding has provided valuable support for organisations who have had to adapt to new ways of working due to Covid."

Two of the projects that have benefited from grants are Yellow and Blue (YaB) and Given to Shine who provide a wide range of community support from their base in Henblas Street and through deliveries to people across the whole of the County Borough.

Pete Humphreys from The YaB hub Wrexham said: " thanks to avow, multiple grants have been sourced and obtained with a quick and effective turn around during the pandemic, as well as other support for the project from avow in online workshops, collaborations and bringing us all together. This has had a huge impact in what we have done at Yellow and Blue, changing lives, impacting positively with food provision, and the growth of the organisation and how many people we can help - thank you to all involved."

A spokesperson from Given To Shine said: "Thank you so much to AVOW for their unwavering support throughout the pandemic and beforehand, they have been advocates for us from day one and their support is invaluable!"

Additional funding has become available for January to support projects to relieve food poverty and providing support for those who are living in poverty. Closing date for applications will be 12 noon 21st January. https://bit.ly/32y92y2 or email info@avow.org for further information.

AVOW is expecting other funds for a variety of uses to be released in the early part of 2022 with information on www.avow.org