Scarborough Coronavirus Appeal gives £27,000 grant to two charities helping people during crisis

The cash injection from the Scarborough Coronavirus Appeal has been given to Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind, and Age UK Scarborough and District to fund the work they are doing tackling isolation and mental health issues.

Since the pandemic hit, the two charities have, with support from YMCA Scarborough, formed and been working from the Scarborough and Filey Covid-19 Community Response Hub.

The grant - of £27, 366 - will allow them to continue to support some of the most vulnerable in Scarborough and Filey for the next four months.

Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Scarborough and District Julie Macey-Hewitt said: “Some people have been on their own now for eight weeks or more and it’s about tackling that isolation.

“We’re also supporting a lot of families. Some are shielding a vulnerable family members so they’re stuck in those four walls. If we can provide them with some activities to do, it just helps break it up a bit.”

She added that the demand for mental health support has been huge.

The hub offers help to anyone who is shielding, particularly those who are living on their own, as well as people with complex and low-level mental health issues and anyone who is struggling with their mental health because of the pandemic.

Since opening, the team have answered more than 5,000 calls for help and supported at least 1,850 people directly.

Their support includes telephone befriending, shopping and prescription services, shielded person welfare checks, food parcels and community kitchen meals, emergency vouchers for shopping and energy, a book delivery service, isolation and wellbeing boxes.

Julie said, like many charities in the area, Age UK Scarborough and District has been struggling to raise funds in the past few weeks, especially since having to close its four shops.

The Scarborough Coronavirus Appeal, managed by Two Ridings Community Foundation, is helping cash-strapped charities support local people during the coronavirus crisis thanks to donations from businesses and individuals.

For more information about donating visit www.tworidingscf.org.uk/donate or email [email protected].

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