Charities working to support elderly people during lockdown are invited to apply.

Elderly people’s charity Independent Age has unveiled a new fund to support small charities working with older people across the UK.

Trustees have released £2m from the charity’s own funds, to be distributed over four rounds of £500,000 each in June, July, September and October.

Charities working to support elderly people through the coronavirus pandemic can apply for grants of up to £15,000 through the fund, which aims to give out around 200 grants in total.

Deborah Alsina, Independent Age chief executive, said: “The Covid-19 crisis has changed life for all of us, but older people are among the hardest hit.”

She added: “Tremendous efforts are being made across the UK to make sure that older people get the practical help they need and can stay safe, healthy, connected and contributing during a long period of socially isolating. At the same time, we know many local charities are facing a challenging fundraising environment at the same time as they have an unequalled demand for their services.

“We will support any kind of work that charities believe will make a real and immediate difference to older people. You know your communities and the older people that need help, and we trust your judgement about what the priorities are and where the money is best spent.”

Charities must be registered and have at least one paid staff member to apply for grants. Applications for the first round are already open, and close at 9am on 4 June.

More information and details on how to apply can be found on the Independent Age website.