Several grants have been distributed to organisations to support their work with vulnerable groups on the frontline. The initiatives supported include:

• Setting up social opportunities for older people to alleviate isolation and loneliness
• Helping with the running costs of a winter night shelter, including food and laundry
• Supporting centres who work with disabled people during the winter months
• Providing weekly visits to vulnerable older people in north Norfolk, ensuring they are keeping warm and well
• Helping people with transport to social events to reduce isolation
• Providing free hot meals and additional support for those who are vulnerable during the winter.

Here are some of the ways in which the appeal is making a difference in local communities:

Providing shelter and support to those in need in King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn winter night shelter provides shelter to adults who are sleeping rough on the streets of King’s Lynn over the winter period. It is open seven nights a week from November to March, supporting 20 rough sleepers per night and catering to their immediate physical needs – shelter, food, warmth and companionship. Not only is the facility a safe haven for those sleeping rough but support is offered through signposting, to ensure single homeless people are aware of specialist support services that promote safer, healthier lifestyle choices and help individuals to live more independent lives.

‘Souper winter’ – helping residents to keep warm and well in Gorleston

Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre Charitable Trust operates from the Magdalen Estate in Gorleston, offering a community base for all ages. In a deprived part of the county with many individuals and families classed as disadvantaged, with poor educational attainment and low aspirations, the group offers a range of activities including scouts, a companionship group, a carers café and sports.

Our Surviving Winter funding has enabled the Centre to run ‘Souper Winter’, providing support to 30 local residents on how to keep warm and well during the winter months. The project will offer advice, companionship, a hot meal and drink and the opportunity to receive warm clothes through a clothes swap for 6 weeks.

Alongside this the Centre will be hosting basic cooking on a budget sessions which will advise individuals on bulk cooking and freezing foods such as soups, sauces for pasta. Due to the complex needs of residents on the estate, budgeting does not come easy and people can find themselves short of funds quite frequently.

Supporting people with learning disabilities during winter

Opening Doors is an organisation run by people with learning disabilities for people with learning disabilities. The group offers a range of training for individuals across Norfolk, including living independently, budgeting and disability awareness. This ensures that individuals are in control of their own lives and have the confidence to make their own decisions.

Our Surviving Winter funding is supporting 50 adults with learning disabilities to complete a ‘My Winter Plan’, outlining actions they can take to plan ahead for winter to ensure they stay healthy, safe, warm and well. Through interactive workshops individuals will identify the things they may struggle with during the winter months and work to identify where they can get help and support to help them cope. They will be provided with a range of helpful advice and guidance, with details on where they can find support if they require help with heating their home and also where they can obtain additional warm clothing.

Some of the traditional ways of accessing information on winter wellbeing is not always easily accessible for those with learning disabilities, due to factors such as difficulty accessing the internet and issues with reading, so the Opening Doors project ensures that this information is made properly available. In addition, the ‘My Winter Plan’ will be sent to 20 learning disability service providers across Norfolk so they can also share it with people they support.

All of these initiatives are making a real difference across Norfolk, both in terms of helping prevent crisis and also providing support for people to plan ahead. In the most extreme cases, they highlight a way out and provide a path to a better future. All of this inspiring change in Norfolk is taking place due to the generous donations to the Surviving Winter appeal, and to ensure that more people can be helped the appeal still needs continued help from businesses and the public.

Support the Surviving Winter appeal

Whatever you can give will make a difference. You can donate:

• Online: Complete our online donation form to donate quickly and securely to the Appeal
• By cheque: Please make your cheque payable to Norfolk Community Foundation and send it to Norfolk Community Foundation, St. James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1TN along with your completed donation form
• By telephone: Phone us on 01603 623958 to make a donation.

Many thanks for your support.