News

COVID-19: Funding opportunities for freelancers

Thursday, 26 November 2020

This year has been tough across the equestrian industry, with many people and businesses suffering financially due to restrictions on their ability to work. However, there are funding opportunities available if you’re self-employed or a freelancer and you’ve been affected by COVID-19…

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The government have announced an extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme across the UK. Two further grants have been made available, each covering a three-month period – 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021, and 1 February to 31 April 2021.

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, applicants will receive a single taxable grant worth 80% of the average profits they would make over a three-month period, up to a total of £7,500, paid directly into their bank accounts.

To be eligible for the grant extension, you must:

• have previously been eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – although did not necessarily claimed previous grants
• declare that you intend to keep trading
• are currently actively trading but have been impacted by reduced demand due to COVID-19, or were previously trading but are currently unable to do so due to the virus.

The online service for claiming the next grant will be available from 30 November. Further details are available here.

Sport Wales Sport Freelancer Fund

Sport Wales has announced the launch of a fund designed to help freelancers in the field of sport and physical activity to recoup some of the financial losses they have suffered as a result of COVID-19.

The fund is open to applications from freelancers in Wales who have worked directly with participants – such as coaches – since before March 2020, and who have lost out on income due to the pandemic.

Subject to meeting eligibility requirements, they’ll receive £1,500 to recuperate their loss in earnings.

Applications open at 12pm on Thursday 26 November and close at 5pm on Wednesday 9 December. Further details are available here.

Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund

The Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund is a package of interest-free loans and grants offered by Renfrewshire Council to provide immediate help to small businesses, social enterprises and self-employed people who’ve been affected by COVID-19.

• The Business Restart Loan offers interest-free loans of between £1,000 and £5,000, repayable up to three years, to assist with short-term cashflow.
• The Business Resilience Grant provides 50% match-funded grants of between £1,000 to £10,000 to help meet changed objectives and plans for growth.
• The Business Adaptation Grant provides match-funded grants from £1,000 to £2,500 to help adapt premises to meet physical distancing requirements.

All loans and funds are subject to eligibility requirements. Further details are available here.

Regional opportunities

For other regional funding opportunities, please check with your local authorities.

Business support finder tool

If your business has been financially affected by COVID-19, the government has a business support finder tool – simply complete the short questionnaire to find about what support is available to you across the UK.