Date issued: 24 April 2020
One Colchester, the local strategic partnership supporting the community response to Covid-19, continues to help and support residents across the borough.
Over the last few weeks, One Colchester partners have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to support the community and each other. From delivering essential food and medicines to the most vulnerable residents in Colchester, to sharing of essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ensuring every partner has what they need to delivery their valuable services as safely as possible.
Partners are also supporting resident’s wellbeing through a wide range of activities, including delivering thousands of befriending phone calls, supporting those who live on their own, to producing engaging activities to support everyone’s wellbeing.
One Colchester partners are:
- Coordinating over 300 volunteers through Community360
- Responding to a 300% increase in Food Bank demand
- Collecting and delivering over 60 prescriptions every week
- Making over 300 weekly befriending phone calls
Pam Donnelly, Chair of the One Colchester Partnership, said: “Coronavirus is affecting the lives of everyone and the One Colchester Partnership is providing vital support to our most vulnerable residents during this difficult time.
“Volunteers, organisations and charities have worked tirelessly to deliver a huge volume of support to the people of Colchester in relation to accessing food, medicines and general advice and guidance.
“Each partner is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring residents are supported and kept as safe and well as possible in these difficult times.”
Several measures have also been put in place to support local businesses. This includes Colchester Borough Council awarding over £20 million to support local businesses, hosting a digital directory signposting business across the borough to vital information to mitigate the impact of Covid-19.
In addition, over the next three months, the council will be offering financial support to the Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (COLBEA), which provides business advice to new and existing businesses. This funding will be used to broaden COLBEA's ability to support local businesses through the COVID-19 crises and into recovery.
Councillor Mark Cory, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “We have never known a time like this and hopefully never will again in our lifetimes. I have been hugely impressed and humbled by the strength of our residents, volunteers, local organisations and charities who have come together and provided help, care and support to those most in need. You all have my deepest thanks and appreciation. Together, we will get through this.
If you need volunteer help or would like to volunteer, please email information@community360.org.uk or call 012016 505250.
The council, voluntary sector, police, health, education and the business community along with many others make up the One Colchester partnership and are committed to close collaboration in support of our communities.
Keep up to date with the latest news at www.colchester.gov.uk/coronavirus
Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives
Page last reviewed: 24 April 2020