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A new £500,000 fund has been created to help Manchester's creative and cultural sector freelancers.

The Cultural Sector Hardship Fund for Freelancers will make discretionary grants of £1,500 to those who have been adversely affected by Covid-19. Applications for support from the fund are open to Manchester residents who usually work freelance in the creative and cultural sectors. Greater Manchester residents who can show that most of their work is normally in Manchester are also eligible.

The fund is being administered by Manchester City Council with funding from the Savannah Wisdom Foundation and B&M Retail PLC.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Culture, Skills and Leisure, said: "Manchester's arts and culture sector contribute massively to city life and to its economy and have an important part to play in the city's recovery from the pandemic.

“We're fully committed to continuing to do everything we can to support it now and in the future, and very much welcome this much-needed additional support for the army of freelancers here who are the very life-blood of the sector, and without which it just couldn't function."

A dedicated telephone helpline offering support and advice for freelancers making an application is being provided by the city centre arts organisation HOME.

The fund opens to applicants on Monday February 1. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.