Our Coronavirus Resilience Fund has so far supported 33 organisations with over £49,000 worth of funding.
We’ve pulled together some comments from successful groups as we aim to raise more funds to enable grassroots organisations to make a real difference in the communities we care about.
N&B Healthy Living Network – £1,500
Funding will enable them to reach out to 100 older people who have been referred to them by a local service ensuring they have food, calls and contact.
Sonya Johnson
“We are definitely firefighting at the fort line presently and as you will see we are using the Fire Service to help us!
“If we couldn’t provide this support those people waiting for ‘shielding’ to begin were without food having self-isolated as instructed. We have filled the gap until Government Parcels commence.
“Many more older/vulnerable people than the ‘shielded’ find themselves without family of friends to help. Without our deliveries they have no way of finding out what services are available. We have been very proactive in ensuring older people know we are there.
“Another issue is older people being cared for by family members, who then have to self-isolate leaving the older person to fend for themselves. For this reason, even if someone has refused a food parcel in week one, we have continued to call each week and check on circumstances.
“Grant makers responding quickly is very important. One concern for us is, ‘unregulated activity’, leaving older people more at risk of financial abuse and food safety. The injection of funding has allowed us to be agile in our response. Deploying our great partnerships with WFRS to assist, this means uniformed people out on the streets, providing not only food but comfort and peace of mind.”
Gospel Oak CC – £1,485
Funding will allow them to work with 25 young carers ensuring that they have the support they need throughout this crisis. This includes providing educational activities to take part in at home, proactive and practical advice over the phone.
Dave Crathorne
“This grant award is absolutely amazing, thank you to your whole team for the speed and efficiency of administering this grant.
“Without this support we would be unable to provide the vital resources to support the mental stimulation and wellbeing of our vulnerable families. This grant will be the base from which we will rebuild our community and support them through this very difficult time.
“We’re already seeing the detrimental effects on mental health and the strain of families as they cope with isolation or quarantine. We are living in an unprecedented time and this will enable us to maintain our connections and to forge new ones in this new challenge to our community.
“The speed at which this fund has been launched, and that the grants have been awarded, is nothing short of a miracle and it was exactly the right thing to do. We have to start the support from now. This enables us to coordinate support and purchase resources we could never have afforded to provide. This is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for your support.”
Time Out Living – £1500
Funding will enable them to adapt their services ensuring the most vulnerable people have access to medical essentials, shopping, important resources and regular phone calls.
Tracey Watson
“We would like to say a big THANK YOU to the Heart of England Community Foundation for awarding us funds to assist those in self-isolation due to the Coronavirus.
“The fund will directly benefit those aged over 60 who are classed as vulnerable and are self-isolating at home. We can assist with collecting essential items from the shops, collecting prescriptions, posting mail or just to be a companion via regular telephone calls.
“Time Out already support lonely and isolated individuals within communities of North Warwickshire by offering bespoke one to one support. Now more than ever that support is needed in a different way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults and older people is maintained.
“We have been lucky enough to have received funds before from the Heart of England Community Foundation and we feel privileged to be a part of their cause to help communities thrive.”
Dudley Carers – £1100
“Carers already suffer from isolation; the current situation makes this much harder for them.
“We are sharing news and information as it emerges and will adapt as the situation unfolds. Our newsletter goes out weekly to members who do not use the internet. About 25% of our members are older people.
“It is vital that funds be made available to small charities as quickly as possible as they do not hold the reserves to put the current level of support needed into place.”
For a full list of Coronavirus Grant Awards please click here.
To support the Coronavirus Resilience Fund please click here.