Publisher’s Note: We are happy to be sharing posts from Mansfield’s Sister City, Mansfield, England, in the county of Nottinghamshire, through our new relationship with the Mansfield and Ashfield News-Journal. We are posting these both to acquaint our readers with how the coronavirus is impacting those in other parts of the world and, in particular, in a city with which we have a close bond.
Across the pond, the United Kingdom is facing the coronavirus epidemic with clear resolve and a strong sense of community.
On Thursday, the current figure of those infected with the virus in the UK stood at 33,718 with a total of 2,921 deaths.
This story was posted on Thursday in the Mansfield and Ashfield News-Journal:
Nottinghamshire County Council, working alongside the seven district and borough councils, has launched Phase Two of the Nottinghamshire Coronavirus Community Support Hub. The Hub has been designed to offer advice and support to communities over the coming weeks and is a lifeline for vulnerable people, families and residents who can’t leave their homes or who are self-isolating at home.
The county council, alongside Ashfield District Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council, sees the Hub as an essential local authority service for residents during the Coronavirus period.
Since launching last week, the Hub has had more than 400 people request support and a further 600 people and organisations sign up as volunteers.
The Hub signposts residents having to stay at home to those offering help with essential services such as:
- Food supplies and delivery
- Collecting and delivering medicines
- Personal and social support – dog walking, collecting newspapers
- Advice on physical, mental and emotional health
- Transport needs
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Kay Cutts said the response from volunteers had shown the very best in community spirit and people’s kindness.
Cllr Cutts said: “At this difficult time it is heart-warming to see people react with such kindness and neighbourly spirit.
“We already have more volunteers than people who need support which is a good position to be in.
“The message I want to send to Nottinghamshire residents is that we are here to support you through this period if you need us.”
Some of the organisations who have already signed up to the Hub include Willoughby on the Wolds Community Action Group, Eastwood Volunteer Bureau, Stapleford Mutual Aid Group, Keyworth United Football Club, Hucknall Community Care and Coronavirus Help Group Retford
For more information on getting help or to register as a volunteer visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/coronaviruscommunityhub.
The county council earlier this week launched a £1 million Nottinghamshire COVID-19 Community Fund to help local charities and community organisations continue to deliver essential services to vulnerable Nottinghamshire residents impacted by COVID-19.
Nottinghamshire charities and voluntary groups can apply for a grant of anywhere between £200 to £10,000 to deliver projects or services that directly help vulnerable people, such as by providing access to food, toiletries, necessities, as well as projects to help vulnerable people in isolation.
More information on the Community Fund can be found here www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/communityfund
For further information about the funding, please email [email protected] or call 0115 977 2041.
