Keswick Community Emergency Recovery Partnership (KCERP) have received a grant form Cumbria Community Foundation to support the work of the Keswick Volunteers.
The grant of £3,849.99 comes from the Community Foundation’s Covid-19 Response Fund which has already supported 80 groups in Cumbria during the covid-19 pandemic.
The grant will allow KCERP to continue to support their group of volunteers during the pandemic. The group, which has around 150 volunteers have set up a Street Warden system in Keswick and are offering a telephone befriending service. This is to ensure everyone has someone they can turn to in the event of needing help with shopping, collecting prescriptions etc or just want someone to have a chat with. The group has distributed leaflets to all homes in Keswick which includes the contact details for the local street warden for that area.
Most of the street wardens have settled into a bit of a routine, offering regular help to some people, whilst others need occasional assistance. Heather Askew, Project Manager said “the street wardens are building up a good rapport with people in their local areas, but we just wanted to remind people that anyone can ask for help. The volunteers are all really keen to help people and there are plenty of them, so please ask.”
The volunteers also have a supply of dog and cat food available for pet owners who are currently facing financial hardship or difficulty accessing supplies because if the pandemic. This has been donated by Oak Tree Animals charity. If you contact your local street warden, they can arrange delivery.
If you are unsure who your street warden is you can email [email protected] to find out.