Rushcliffe Borough Council has provided funding to local charity The Friary for their project aimed at helping vulnerable residents who are socially isolated due to COVID-19.
The charity is receiving funds as part of the authority’s Reach Rushcliffe initiative which was launched in May to tackle loneliness and social isolation in the Borough and is one of four successful applications that have benefitted from over £6,000 towards projects to help those in need.
The Friary will use the funds to further develop their ‘Space to Think’ project, allowing them to increase the hours of one of their support workers so they can devote more time on the phone or video link to isolated individuals.
Leader of the Council Cllr Simon Robinson and Deputy Leader Cllr Debbie Mason met Chief Executive of The Friary Ben Talbot and at the charity’s base in West Bridgford.
Cllr Robinson said: “We are delighted to have awarded funding to The Friary through Reach Rushcliffe, which will see them progress their Space to Think project to help many more vulnerable residents in the Borough.
“Some residents may have found lockdown measures incredibly difficult, especially those who may be isolated from their community or family so the further support The Friary will be able to provide is invaluable.
“We would encourage any organisations also looking to reduce social isolation in their part of Rushcliffe to apply for funding through Reach Rushcliffe by visiting www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/health/reachrushcliffe/.”
Cllr Mason added: “It is great that The Friary will benefit from this funding, allowing them to work with even more residents who are struggling in these difficult times and we hope further organisations apply so they can develop similar projects.”
Mr Talbot said: “We are so grateful for the funding from Rushcliffe Borough Council as we also know that throughout the pandemic, there has been even more of a need to keep in touch with residents who may be struggling.
“Our Space to Think project specifically targets those who have been more isolated and vulnerable due to Coronavirus lockdown measures as well as those with mental health issues and history of abuse, so to be able to extend that service is brilliant.”