National Lottery cash boosts incredible efforts of communities in Anglesey

Communities across Anglesey are co-ordinating an impressive network of over 850 volunteers, to support the most vulnerable through the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Medrwn Môn, in partnership with the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Menter Môn have received £59,995 of National Lottery money to help with co-ordinating 36 Area Support Teams to support their community’s emergency response to COVID-19.

The grant provides much needed funding to help meet the increased demand for services and enables community groups, third sector organisations and the Local Authority to work together to deliver a joined up community respond to COVID-19.  

Sian Purcell, Chief Officer, 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.”

Together, the partners have developed materials and guidance for all Area Support Teams to support its volunteers. 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 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. The volunteers are helping the most vulnerable with tasks such as with shopping, posting letters and dog walking.

Ruth Bates, Head of North Wales region for The National Lottery Community Fund said: “In this time of uncertainty, this community-led approach is a brilliant example of how groups working together to deliver a joined-up community response to COVID-19 is helping those that need it most.”

“Thank you to those who play the National Lottery for making it possible to fund projects such as this that are making a huge difference to the lives of many on Anglesey.”