At a time when we must protect and care for those most vulnerable, this community action is vital to keep everyone safe and well in our communities. From delivering food and prescriptions, to tackling loneliness and isolation, Norfolk’s charitable groups are working hard across our county.

Vital initiatives funded during the first week include:

Coltishall Parish Council’s team of volunteers are being supported to ensure that they can help older people, those with underlying health conditions and those self-isolating in the area, by distributing essential supplies such as food, prescriptions and fuel. The volunteers will also provide support by telephone to help reduce isolation among these vulnerable groups. The fund is helping them to purchase food, provide protective equipment and support volunteers vital to this initiative with associated travel costs.

The fund is also helping Gorleston St Mary Magdalene PCC to provide food parcel deliveries to vulnerable people in isolation across the Great Yarmouth borough. These services will help people who are self-isolating, those struggling with poverty or a lack of support network. The fund is supporting local volunteers to purchase food, pack food parcels, deliver them to doorsteps and be available via telephone to support those who need help.

ASD Helping Hands, a Norfolk charity offering support for those affected by autism, is running a live chat befriending service to reduce isolation among their service users who may be coping with many challenges during this time. People will be able to speak to trained volunteers via their website six days a week from 9am to 9pm to provide help and a listening ear. This will support the mental wellbeing of those who have a caring role for a child on the autism spectrum, and are currently isolated at home. The funding will help the group with associated equipment and software costs to provide the service, and promote it.

ENYP’s Picnic Project is being supported to ensure that they can distribute essential food to people in need across Norwich. Their efforts are focusing on those living in poverty, and providing food parcels to families who may be struggling with the extra cost of feeding their children during school closures. Their volunteers will also be collecting prescriptions and medical supplies, and offering support and friendship to keep people socially connected and reduce the negative effects of isolation.

Tittleshall Village Hall Management Committee have been provided with vital funding so they can deliver food, fuel and essential items to older and vulnerable people in their community. Volunteers will be also be cooking for those who are unwell locally, providing emergency travel to the local doctor and hospital, as well as making regular telephone calls to check on isolated people’s wellbeing.

We need more funds to continue supporting people across Norfolk

Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal so far. However, we still need many more funds to ensure that we can support the most vulnerable during these unprecedented times.

Donate today to help people in your local community. Anything that you can give will make a real difference.

Many thanks for your support.