Another week has gone by and many of us have settled into a routine again. We hope you had time to enjoy the sunny weather at the weekend! Sunshine is certainly a mood booster, but unfortunately we also can't ignore the more sobering things happening, so we have some updated information that might help you cope with the impact of the pandemic—particularly the economic challenges.
£34 million Newly Self-employed Hardship Fund: A reminder that this fund is now open for applications. It’s purpose is to provide relief to newly self-employed who are not eligible for other support schemes (if you've claimed or are thinking of claiming for Universal Credit then you are still eligible for this grant, but you will need to apply before receiving any Universal Credit payments). A grant of up to £2,000 to those registered as self-employed during the 2019/20 tax year can be applied for here. Or, if you are based outside Perth & Kinross you can check details on how to apply here.
Self Employment Income Support Scheme: Claims are open for Self Employment support fund with HMRC beginning to send out emails inviting applications last week, although you do not need to wait for an email. When claiming you will need your:
Self Assessment UTR - if you do not have this find out how to get your lost UTR
National Insurance number - if you do not have this find out how to get your lost National Insurance number
Government Gateway user ID and password - if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you check your eligibility online
Bank account number and sort code to pay the grant into (only provide bank account details where a BACS payment can be accepted).
Find out how to claim here.
Wellbeing Fund: The 2nd round of the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund is now open to applications from voluntary sector organisations providing crucial services to people as a result of coronavirus. Read more here.
Connecting Scotland: This initiative aims to connect up to 9,000 more people considered clinically high risk and on low incomes, so that they can access services and support and connect with friends and family during the pandemic. Find out more here.
Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund: Due to demand, this fund to provide grants for small and medium-sized businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) is to be doubled from £45m to £90m. Find out more here.
SE Reset Week: From 11 May, this week will feature a series of conversations with community-based social enterprise to discover funding and support requirements. It will include opportunities to contribute on a local and thematic basis via virtual SEN meetings. There will also be virtual focus groups to put forward challenges, issues and opportunities. Find out more here. Visit Scotland Webinar: Tourism businesses can tune in and hear from @VisitScotland, in a live webinar focused on the recovery of tourism on Tuesday 12 May. Register here.
Perthshire Creates Digital Design Market: The Digital Design Market will replace the cancelled Summer Design Market and will launch at 6pm on Thursday 2 July, and run until 6pm on Sunday 5 July 2020. Applications to take part are open to anyone working or living in Perth & Kinross and the Tay Cities area which includes North Fife, Angus & Dundee and meet the criteria details. Find out how to apply here.
Making Sport Fit Heart 200 Virtual Route Challenge: Not only an opportunity for you to make your miles/kilometres count and keep you motivated to stay active, but this challenge will also encourage you to virtually explore the Heart 200 route and everything it has to offer. Designed to make you feel inspired when you learn all that is within easy reach once the lockdown ends! Find out more here.