{content}

Community response hailed as “brilliant”

People, Health and Care
09:00, Monday, 25th May 2020

There has been a fantastic community response to the coronavirus outbreak across North Lincolnshire with charities, town and parish councils, businesses and volunteers pulling together to help vulnerable people in their neighbourhoods.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:

“It’s brilliant to see communities coming together and supporting each other. I’ve always known the community spirit in North Lincolnshire was one of our region’s greatest strengths and this proves it.”

A pop-up not-for-profit shop is being held in Whitton Village Hall by Garry Booker, owner of the Riverside Restaurant in Burton upon Stather, who is also delivering hot meals to nearby villages.

In Barton, staff at The Ropewalk are making and delivering around 150 hot meals a week with the help of Barton Lions, Barton Rotary, Barton Town Council and local businesses including Tesco and Five Fathoms Gin.

The town also has a shopping service for anyone unable to leave their home, and has an army of volunteers knocking on doors on every street checking that residents have all the help they need.

Volunteers are also knocking on doors in Cadney and Howsham and in Ferry ward the local councils have a coordinated response team which has set up a seven-day helpline.

It is a similar situation on the Isle of Axholme, where a partnership between local councils, churches and voluntary groups was established before lockdown was introduced.

Westcliff Community Works used a grant from Lincolnshire Community Foundation to put together art packs for local children, and have been delivering food donated by Aldi to local families.

This successful community-led response has enabled the council to focus on prioritising those in most need, who do not have support networks or where the community cannot meet their needs.

Cllr Waltham said:

“I am proud of the way North Lincolnshire has responded, ensuring our communities are safe and connected during lockdown.

“It has enabled us to make sure as many people as possible are helped and supported. Now more than ever we need to ‘Do One Thing’ for each other in order to come through these challenging times.

“Individuals, friends, family and neighbours are making a difference – from collecting medicine to waving at the window or making a phone call.”

Anyone looking out for their friends, family and neighbours are encouraged to share what they are doing by taking photographs and sharing them using the #DoOneThingNL hashtag.