Metheringham County Councillor offers cash support for community volunteers through Covid-19

Each Lincolnshire County Councillor has £3,000 to donate to voluntary groups supporting residents who are experiencing difficulties during Covid-19.

Coun Rob Kendrick for Metheringham Rural has chosen two groups so far to support with grants from the authority’s Covid-19 fund.

He awarded £100 to the Sleaford New Life Community Larder and £500 to Martin and Timberland Emergency Support (MATES) group, an initiative from local residents and Martin and Timberland parish councils.

Coun Kendrick commented: “The Sleaford New Life Community Larder were very quick off the mark in seeking support. The group has done an amazing job throughout Covid 19, supporting vulnerable residents and families across North and South Kesteven by delivering food parcels, cooked meals and essential toiletries.

“Many people would have really struggled without their support, and, sadly the need for help continues as cases start to increase again.

“I chose to support the MATES group, as a group of local people who supported elderly and vulnerable people during lockdown. They have delivered and collected medicines, shopping, carried out friendly phone calls, and delivered food parcels, in partnership with a local school, to vulnerable families.”

MATES recently won the Coronavirus Response Group category at the NK Community Champion Awards for 2020.

Coun Kendrick added: “I have a particular interest in local support groups as I was previously Voluntary Services Manager for the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. During my time there I set up a number of mental health support groups including three small charities and liaised with other groups/charities.”

Rod Munro, team leader at New Life Community Larder said: “We really appreciate Coun Kendrick’s support. Although demand levelled off in August and September, we are now seeing an increase in calls from families and support agencies for our services again and we plan to continue operating a five days a week service”.

Lindsay Fulton, a founder of MATES, said: “MATES was set up in mid-March and we were able to shop and deliver prescriptions for more than 60 households during lockdown. We have a phone responders group called HopeLinks and we distributed food to vulnerable families via Mrs Mary King’s School in Martin during lockdown and continue to make weekly donations to Lincoln Community Larder.

“Many of our 45 volunteers are now ‘on standby’ in case further restrictions are introduced. The grant from Coun Kendrick will enable us to do something special for local residents if they find themselves alone and isolating in the event of a ‘lockdown Christmas.”

Applications for the fund are still being taken, see www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/communityfund