Anglesey community group receives £60,000 lottery funding to aid coronavirus response

A community group has received a timely boost with almost £60,000 of National Lottery funding to support its work co-ordinating Anglesey’s emergency response to Covid-19.

Since lockdown began, 36 community volunteer groups have been established across Anglesey with over 850 volunteers helping those in need.

Medrwn Môn’s staff are providing daily guidance and support to the volunteers which has been key in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all of the volunteers and those they are helping.

To support this work and coinciding with National Volunteers Week (June 1-7), Medrwn Môn has received £59,995 of National Lottery money, which it says will support the “huge increase” in demand over recent months.

During the pandemic two additional Food Banks have opened in Llangefni and Menai Bridge to meet the increased demand for food supply.

The grant will also help fund ‘Neges’ a partnership response to deliver food parcels and readymade meals to the most vulnerable people in our communities.

‘Neges’ alone have delivered 500 food packages in the past two weeks to families on the Island, and compliments the extraordinary efforts made by the food banks and the community volunteers.

The grant will also enable volunteers to stay connected through online materials as well as printed materials for those not able to access the Internet, as well as tasks such as shopping, posting letters and dog walking.

Sian Purcell, the Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn, said: “The project has been developed in response to needs and feedback from volunteers of the  Area Support Teams who are in close contact with their communities.

“We have witnessed a huge increase in people coming forward to volunteer, in fact this pandemic has opened the door to a new generation of volunteers which is a breath of fresh air.

“Through this project we want to ensure we provide a positive experience for this new intake of volunteers.

“We are very grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund, this funding will enable us to further support our communities through a joined-up way that ensures resources are well used and capacity of groups amongst the communities can meet the demand for help.”

Anglesey Council’s Leader, Cllr Llinos Medi added, “We will be forever grateful for all the help and support the Island’s volunteers have provided during this challenging time.

“We know there are countless actions that our volunteers are taking every single day to assist residents in our communities, which are keeping them safe and secure.

“Whether this is a simple conversation through a window to your neighbour, waving to the postman or clapping for our National Health Service and carers, all of these acts help to bring people together and boost their mood in a time of a crisis.”

“So while the hard work shall continue over the coming weeks, Anglesey’s resilience and our volunteers’ commitment to helping those who are the most vulnerable in our community deserves our sincerest appreciation and admiration.

“For that, we thank you all.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter