Today we are publishing a report on the experiences of our funded partners in responding to Covid-19. Through speaking to these locally led projects over the past few months, we’ve seen a range of challenges which are illustrative of the broader issues faced by many neighbourhoods and communities.
There are already stark differences in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy between different neighbourhoods and groups of people, which have widened over the past ten years. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this into sharp focus.
When the COVID-19 lockdown began, the Trust made contact with all of our funded partners. This was urgently needed, so we could effectively respond and understand the rapidly changing needs within neighbourhoods. This contact has been ongoing over the past four months, through which we have listened, learned, and acted upon the key challenges and we continue to do so.
Like many funders, in response to the pandemic, the Trust immediately relaxed our grant conditions as we know that funded partners have the local wisdom and knowledge to respond most effectively to the local situation.
The vast majority of these community-led groups have been quick to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Over 75% moved online and successfully delivered a wide variety of activities, from counselling to Zumba classes.
- Where that wasn’t possible for individuals and groups, they connected using the phone (41% across all of our projects).
- Nearly half (46%) of the Trust’s projects have provided valuable information services to support residents to interpret government and NHS advice.
- Fifty-seven percent of projects have been involved in meal delivery and/or the distribution of care packages, while 36% have been working alongside foodbanks.
Alongside this, communities have also faced significant challenges. What we have seen over these past few months has revealed the true importance of resident-led projects in neighbourhoods and communities: they have been a key source of support and guidance for local people before and during the Covid-19 crisis and will continue to be critical as communities begin to adjust.
Learn more by reading the full report here.
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