Penzance Council is using its Social Action Fund to support projects which are helping vulnerable people in the local community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Originally set up in 2019, the Fund is usually targeted at measures which help tackle issues such as poverty, homelessness and rough sleeping, drugs and alcohol abuse, youth issues and loneliness and dementia.
Concerned by the impact of the coronavirus on vulnerable people living in the parish, the Council has now redirected some of the funding to support a range of community initiatives to help local residents during the next 12 weeks. These include projects which are providing additional accommodation for homeless people, schemes to deliver essential groceries and prescriptions for those who are self isolating or have been advised to shield themselves, and carrying out regular checks on people who are living alone.
The grants include :
- £1,000 for the Breadline in Penzance project run by St Petrocs – during the past few weeks St Petrocs has increased the opening hours at its resource centre in Penzance to include weekends so people sleeping rough can visit the doctor, use the toilet and shower, have some food, and receive help to get housing so they can self-isolate. The funding from the Council will enable these extra hours to continue over the next 12 weeks while the Government’s “lockdown” restrictions are in place . The project anticipates that around 65 people will use the service during this period.
- £,1000 for Pengarth Day Centre – the funding will be used to increase the capacity of its Meals on Wheels service to help provide more people with meals, and carry out welfare checks ( by phone and visit) and collect and deliver prescriptions and shopping for vulnerable people.
- £1,500 for the Whole Again Communities CIC -the funding will enable the project to make and deliver cooked food and boxes of fresh produce to vulnerable households and families on Treneere Estate. The teams are proving information and advice on cooking and growing food and general support via Facebook Live workshops, and delivering seeds and arts and crafts materials. The project anticipates increasing their regular delivery rounds to more than 50 households, providing more than 400 hot meals a week.
- £750 for the Street Food Project run by the Growing Links CIC. The funding will be used to buy fresh fruit and vegetables to provide food for around 200 vulnerable people and their families living in and around Penzance a week during the coronavirus outbreak. These include people living rough and in tents in the town
While this is a very worrying time for everyone, we know that the most vulnerable people in our community are being particularly badly affected “ said Councillor Nicole Broadhurst, the Mayor of Penzance. “It is fantastic to see local groups and organisations rallying around to support them in practical ways such as delivering hot food; collecting medicines and doing their shopping for them.
“I am very proud of our local community and am delighted that the Council can play its part by providing financial support for these projects”.
“With extra funding, Breadline will be able to open for six days a week” said Dave Brown from St Petrocs. “Breadline’s primary aim is to get people indoors, but while many are still forced to remain outside it endeavours to provide a service which is often a solitary lifeline during this crisis. St Petrocs are working closely with NHS Health for Homeless to keep the service safe and stay within Covid-19 guidelines.”
“We are massively grateful for the funding from the Council and by the speed and professionalism with which the grant has been administered.“ said Graham Lewis, General Manager from Whole Again Communities. “ We have already been able to buy containers for delivery and to set up weekly food delivery and would encourage anyone who is really struggling to get in touch with us on 075578 07015.
Thank you Penzance Council for helping us to help others at this time”.
Ends
Notes to editors :
for further information or to speak to the Mayor Nicole Broadhurst please contact Trisha Hewitt at [email protected] or phone 07946654121
Penzance Town Council serves the people of Penzance, Newlyn, Gulval, Mousehole and Paul.
For further information or media interviews and comments on local matters, please contact:
Hester Hunt, Town Clerk , Penzance Town Council, Penlee Centre, Penlee Park, Penzance, TR18 4HE 01736 363405 or email [email protected]
Trisha Hewitt , Communications Officer, 07946654121 or email [email protected]
