Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020, day 10: Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
The Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust team has been working harder than ever throughout a challenging year to provide support for everyone in the community.
Residents, volunteers and staff who run the charity rallied in the early days of the pandemic to ensure food was delivered to people who were shielding and to reach out to those who might be suffering in isolation.
From July, the team set up a kiosk near their HQ in The Hub on Gainsborough Square, selling takeaway teas, coffees and ice creams over the summer months and providing a focal point for people to meet, see a friendly face and have a chat.
is needed now More than ever
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust runs community spaces where people can meet, connect and stay informed and works to support residents to achieve positive change for themselves and their community.
A fair on the square in pre-Covid times – photo courtesy of Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
The trust’s Suzanne Wilson says: “2020 has been a challenging year; one of our community spaces has had a tenth of the usual room hire income and, as a charity, we rely on this income to keep going.
“We have worked with Bristol City Council to give out £30,000 emergency support funds in Horfield and Lockleaze, supporting 194 adults and 338 children. This covered the cost of winter coats, bereavement counselling, devices and dongles for those trying to homeschool without the internet, and debt relief orders to help those overwhelmed by debt.
“We kept in contact with our regular community centre visitors and offered online programmes. We were also able to work with the council to distribute school uniforms to help with the start of term costs.”
In response to demand, the charity has set up a new parent group to help combat isolation and provide a support network. There will also be a series of community activities to help people feel cheerful over the festive period.
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust is currently running a community survey in a bid to understand the impact of lockdown and what employment and wellbeing support people need.
With mental health a major concern, the charity is developing a wellbeing passport and a year-long programme of activities starting in the spring of 2021 to encourage people to take action to manage their mental health and wellbeing.
Suzanne adds: “We would love it if people wanted to donate to support our ongoing work but if you can’t donate we encourage you to be kind, write someone a letter, smile at a stranger, arrange a walk round the park – this has been a tough year but the kindness of others has got us through – keep going.”
Support the charity’s Crowdfunder campaign via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lockleazeneighbourhood-trust.
Main photo courtesy of Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
Read more: Pandemic forces permanent closure of Lockleaze community cafe
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