A partnership of community organisations in Coxhoe has received a grant of £2,200 to help residents who have been hit hard by coronavirus.
The funding was awarded by Durham County Council’s East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership (AAP) to the Coxhoe Cares project and is being used to help people who are self-isolating.
Coxhoe Parish Council, Coxhoe Village Hall, Quarrington Hill Community Centre and Coxhoe United are collaborating on the scheme to support their community. The group received the funding to assist residents with shopping and wellbeing checks.
People who are self-isolating for health reasons are being supported by a team of volunteers with tasks such as buying groceries and essential items, which are delivered in line with government social distancing guidelines.
The AAP has also redirected £264, which was originally allocated to Coxhoe Parish Council to run Easter school holiday activities with food provision, and the money was instead used to purchase food for people in need as a result of the pandemic.
Whilst people are physically isolated, volunteers are also helping to prevent people in Coxhoe from becoming socially isolated, making regular phone calls and sending weekly emails to check how they are and to have a chat.
Jane Bellis, AAP coordinator, said: “These organisations are doing fantastic work together, assisting some of our area’s most vulnerable people at this difficult time. The funding we have awarded will be used to provide emergency and short-term solutions for people who are struggling, until they can put longer-term arrangements in place.
“As soon as government coronavirus restrictions were introduced, it became apparent that people would need help and East Durham Rural Corridor AAP is pleased to be able to offer its support.”
Stuart Dunn, chair of Coxhoe Parish Council, said: “We had some supplies generously donated by the public, which together with the funding received from East Durham Rural Corridor AAP has enabled us to distribute essential items to people who cannot get out to shop, and those who have no money for shopping.
“The deliveries, alongside the weekly phone calls, are playing an important part in improving the health and wellbeing of residents who are self-isolating. I’d like to thank the AAP and all of the other organisations involved in this initiative, especially our fantastic volunteers.”
The £2,200 grant has been allocated from East Durham Rural Corridor AAP’s share of £1.4million, which the council has made available to the county’s 14 AAPs, to help community and voluntary groups in their area during the pandemic. An additional £100,000 is available to support countywide initiatives.
Contact details for East Durham Rural Corridor AAP and further information about the 14 Area Action Partnerships which cover County Durham can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/aaps
