Our Healthy Communities Scheme supports projects which make a difference to health in the communities around our buildings. And as the coronavirus lockdown continues, some of the latest grants which were made to focus on preventing isolation and loneliness are playing their part.
In Chelford in Cheshire, the Connecting Chelford scheme is working with the new ‘Bug Off Action Group’ and Chelford Together, making sure every residence in the village had a contact card to get help with anything from urgent food supplies to collecting medication and friendly phone calls. Linking with the team at our Chelford Surgery building and with local retailers, the group now has 60 volunteers operating a delivery service across the village. The group is now using some of our funding to buy PPE for volunteers, to support their work in line with latest guidelines and social distancing measures.
Children have been pitching in, decorating footpaths with colourful chalk drawings and uplifting messages.
The group says: “More and more residents are reaching out and the group are incredibly touched and proud of the community spirit which is bringing us together during such a challenging time.”
Nominating Connecting Chelford for its original grant Dr Helen Thomas, GP at Chelford Surgery, said: “Chelford Community Hub has an established record of providing significant services. From small beginnings they have expanded to provide a range of facilities and interactive sessions within the community uniting young and old with support.”