Building friends with charity

Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) is building a new partnership with Bellway Homes after the Yorkshire division of the national homebuilder stepped in to donate much needed PPE to allow its volunteers to safely carry out their vital work.

Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) is building a new partnership with Bellway Homes after the Yorkshire division of the national homebuilder stepped in to donate much needed PPE to allow its volunteers to safely carry out their vital work.

Bellway, which has three current developments in Harrogate, stepped in to ensure the charity’s volunteer army could continue to safely deliver its front-line community service at a time when Covid-19 cases are rising once again.

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“Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) is a wonderful local charity that has been helping vulnerable people in the area since the 1970s, through a wide range of activities, covering everything from help at home to transport and befriending services,” said Bellway sales manager, Paula Murdoch.

“Sadly, at a time when its services are needed more than ever, in particular the work delivered by the HELP team, and its Here to HELP service, many of the usual fundraising opportunities disappeared.

“As such we were delighted to step in and purchase PPE, which we hope will see them through the autumn and winter months.”

Bellway’s PPE donation included disposable masks, gloves and aprons; and replenishes stocks of the items that the charity had to buy from its own funds.

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“Like many charities, our usual opportunities to fundraise in the community disappeared overnight because of the pandemic. At the same time, demand for our services has grown significantly,” said HELP project development worker, Anna Woollven.

She added: “We are extremely grateful to Bellway Homes for this donation of PPE. This will help our volunteers and staff to remain safe when assisting local people at a time when they need it the most.”

Since Covid-19 hit in March, HELP has helped over 600 new individuals and families on over 3,500 occasions with prescription collections, shopping trips and errands. Its volunteers also make over 100 befriending calls every week.

“This extraordinary level of activity was made possible by the generous nature of the local population in Harrogate and Ripon; with 230 new volunteers being recruited during this period,” added Anna.

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“We are though now looking for new volunteers, as some have returned to work or education. We’re in particular need of volunteers to help with practical errands including shopping and prescription drop-offs.

“We also require more telephone befrienders for our Ripon service to help those who are experiencing feelings of loneliness as a result of lockdown and the new Tiered restrictions.

Volunteers have always been at the heart of our community, but during the last six months they’ve proven to be a lifeline for the most vulnerable. It’s often the small acts of kindness that make the most difference.

“We hope the local community will answer our rallying call for volunteers to help people negotiate the next few months under the current restrictions.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Here to HELP Covid Hero can sign up at www.hadca.org.uk/volunteer or contact the team on 01423 813096 (Harrogate) or 01765 645902 (Ripon).