The Leader of Dover District Council has praised the outstanding community effort across the district in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Co-ordinated by the Dover District Council Community Hub, 15 partner organisations along with town and parish councils came together to provide a seven-days a week service to support the most vulnerable members of the community during the lockdown with everything from hot meals, to collecting shopping and prescriptions, and befriending services for those isolating at home alone.
Over 24,000 contacts were made through the Community Hub and partner organisations between March and July.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of the Council, said: “The nation has been tested like never before, but it has been incredibly humbling to see the local response to those most in need.
“This has been a true partnership approach with Officers from the Council working alongside an army of local community and voluntary groups, and individual volunteers, to help those most in need. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank everyone involved.
“As the lockdown is eased, the work of the Community Hub will form part of our mainstream activities to continue our support for those most in need. Our aim is to maintain the network and resilience we’ve built during the lockdown so that it can be activated again in the future if needed.”
Dover District Council has also provided £117,000 in financial support to the local community and voluntary sector throughout the pandemic.
Fifty-two local groups have benefited from DDC’s Covid-19 Community Fund. Launched with a £50,000 contribution from Dover District Council, the Fund also attracted over £27,000 in donations from corporate supporters and members of the public.
Dover District Council is now considering applications to its general Community Grants Fund, which includes £27,500 allocated by the Council, along with a £12,500 contribution from the Dover District Lotto.
Note to editors
The partner organisations included:
- Age UK Deal Centre for the Retired
- Bechange
- Capel Cares
- Chequers Kitchen
- Connect Well Kent
- Covid-19 Action Team, Shepherdswell
- Deal Food Bank
- Dover Age UK
- Dover Food Bank
- Lydden Village Community Group
- Mill Hill Community Forum
- Sandwich Age UK
- St Margaret’s Hub
- Temple Ewell Parish Volunteers
- Together 4 Dover
Posted on 20 July 2020