Community fund has been supporting West Lindsey residents through the coronavirus pandemic

More than £50,000 has been used to help support West Lindsey residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The West Lindsey District Council Covid-19 Community Fund, which is still open to applications, has funded 22 projects so far from across the district.

The council set up the fund in April in response to the issues created by the national lockdown and the impact this was having on local communities and has already allocated £50,509.

Coun John McNeill, vice chairman of the prosperous communities committee at West Lindsey council said the council needed to act quickly to offer support to vulnerable residents across the district.

The Covid-19 Community Fund has been supporting the communityThe Covid-19 Community Fund has been supporting the community
The Covid-19 Community Fund has been supporting the community

He said: “With many clinically vulnerable people having to self-isolate, the impact on finances following job losses and the added extra pressure of parents having to feed their children who were off school – we realised we needed the support of our local communities.

“The initial calls for support centred on food and medicine provision with some funding going to food banks across the district and household goods support. Other groups focussed on resources to help children stay at home, as well as support for the disabled and vulnerable families.”

However, as the pandemic developed, the council has found more applications are being focused around the longer term effects of lockdown, and has funded projects looking at mental health and wellbeing support.

Brookenby Community Group is one of the groups which has received funding as they are supporting people in Brookenby and Swinhope, including Kingsmead Park.

The service ranges from collecting prescriptions to delivering a full weekly shop for residents who are self-isolating. The group has obtained a contactless card reader to ensure the whole process is compliant with social distancing and residents feel safe.

Mike Swannick, chairman of the group, said: “This is a really small community, but we have a significant number of residents that are self-isolating because of their age. Our volunteers are doing this because they want to help, but the grant money has ensured they are not out of pocket which is great for their morale.”

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