Local charity awards over £7,000 to support older & vulnerable people

Northamptonshire Community Foundation is delighted to have raised just over £7,000 thanks to its generous network of donors and supporters for its annual Winter Well-being appeal. 

The appeal aims to support older and vulnerable people in Northamptonshire over the winter months. One in ten households in the county live in fuel poverty, spending more than 10% of their income on fuel and often have to choose between eating or heating their homes. 

Funds have been awarded to several local community groups and charities to support their older and vulnerable clients in staying warm, well and fed this winter. These groups have been working tirelessly throughout the ongoing public health crisis providing vital, often life changing support. 

Power of the Mind Networks received funding to run a series of online Ubuntu Afro Dance exercise for the older BAME community who are currently shielding, helping to reduce social isolation whilst boosting their physical and mental well-being.

Daventry New Street Day Centre received a grant to provide a socially distanced winter lunch club in their café. They adapted their project due to the most recent lockdown and have been delivering wellness packs and lunches twice a week to older and vulnerable people’s homes. 

Serve Rushden received funding to run their Covid-19 Emergency Community Support initiative, providing essential groceries, prescriptions and befriending telephone calls.

Jess Slater, of Serve Rushden, said: “We are delighted that the Foundation has chosen Serve to support people at home to keep healthy and well during the winter. The pandemic has highlighted the need to keep people connected and supported at home as much as we possibly can by providing access to hot meals, heating and healthy food.”

Since the launch of the Winter appeal in 2010, Northamptonshire Community Foundation has funded 62 projects on behalf of its donors, awarding a total of £219,832 across the county. 

Many people choose to donate their winter fuel allowance to the appeal, including Robert and Joanna Tomkinson, who said: “My wife and I donate our winter fuel allowance each year to the winter appeal o that those in difficulties from the winter cold and wet may benefit and thus hopefully prevent related problems.”

Victoria Miles DL, CEO of Northamptonshire Community Foundation said: “We are grateful for the generosity shown year on year to help support our Winter Well-being appeal, so many people give by donating their own annual fuel allowance to make a difference to those who need more help during the winter months.” 

To learn more about the work of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, please visit: www.ncf.uk.com