Corona Virus
Northumberland communities receive cash boost from Bernicia
Charities and volunteer organisations across Northumberland have been awarded funding from a North East housing association to help residents affected by Covid-19.
Northumberland County Council has received £125,000 from Bernicia to distribute to support organisations who are working to help communities through this difficult time.
The welcome donation has now been awarded to charities from across Northumberland, each receiving £20,000, with each charity well placed to help those whose lives have been affected by the virus.
The organisations who have been awarded funding are:
The remaining £25k will be used to help small organisations and rural communities with things such as food deliveries, shopping cards and other essential services.
The cash is part of The Bernicia Foundation – a £1m charitable fund created by Bernicia to support organisations promoting social and financial inclusion and backing young talent in the North East and is part of a £200,000 donation to local authorities across the region.
Cllr Cath Homer, cabinet member for Community and Voluntary Sector support at the council, said: “This is a phenomenal donation by Bernicia and I want to say a huge thank you to them for their support which has allowed charities, at the heart of this crisis, to react quickly and deliver critical services in our communities.
“Since the start of the outbreak we have been working closely with our community and voluntary sector, launching the Northumberland Communities Together initiative to help co-ordinate the response and get the help to the people who need it the most.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of both businesses and individuals for our initiative. They have all pulled together in our county’s time of need.”
John Johnston, Bernicia Chief Executive, said: “It is so heartening to see the speed with which Northumberland County Council has got our funding to those charities helping people and communities cope with the impact of COVID-19.
“We fast-tracked £200,000 from our charitable Bernicia Foundation to local authorities across the North East to ensure it could be used immediately to support charities at a time when they it need it most to carry out their vitally important work.”
Liz Prudhoe, of Adapt North East said: “This donation has been an incredibly welcome boost to allow us to help people through these unprecedented times.
“Many of the people we are dealing with have never had to access the benefit system before and are finding themselves in exceptional circumstances, so to be able to get them the help they need, quickly, has been invaluable.”
Northumberland Communities Together was set up in response to the Coronavirus pandemic to ensure our residents are kept safe and well throughout this crisis, and to provide coordination to support individual volunteers, voluntary groups and communities across our county.
There are still many simple ways you can make difference in your community:
- Be a street champion: wave to your neighbours, keep an eye out for someone who may need help, and pass on reliable information.
- Remember that by staying at home and observing social distancing you are already helping your community stay safe.
- Stay connected: ensure you connect on social media with your friends and family, and with your community. Share things that make people smile, feel safe, and know that there is support available to them.
If you need help for things such as shopping and prescriptions and do not have family or friends who can help you a Community Response Hub has also been set up. Call 01670 620015, between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week or email: northumberlandcommunitiestoget
Pictured: Liz Prudhoe, of Adapt
