The Connecting Ripon column with Angela Jones

The national #NeverMoreNeeded campaign highlights the vital role of local charities and their need for ongoing support. As well as giving people hope, comfort and aid now at a time of crisis, charities in Ripon will be needed to help in the future with longer-term needs around issues of mental and physical wellbeing and increased financial hardship.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th May 2020, 08:59 BST
Connecting Ripon network coordinator Angela Jones.Connecting Ripon network coordinator Angela Jones.
Connecting Ripon network coordinator Angela Jones.

Two Connecting Ripon members, Ripon Community House and HELP Ripon and Rural, have been working closely together to support the needs of people living in the city and surrounding villages, assisting with hundreds of tasks for those isolating or shielding family at home.

The team of volunteers are busy responding to requests for food shopping, prescription pick-ups and errand running, as well as delivering food boxes to those most in need. A telephone befriending service is available for anyone who would like to hear a friendly voice to help them get through the crisis.

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Suzanne Bowyer, Community House Manager, said: “We have a great community and a lot of willing volunteers so when a request is made, although we are not an emergency service, we can on the whole arrange support quite quickly.

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As well as essential supplies, volunteer Stewart picked up a donation of Easter eggs from Swinton Estate.As well as essential supplies, volunteer Stewart picked up a donation of Easter eggs from Swinton Estate.
As well as essential supplies, volunteer Stewart picked up a donation of Easter eggs from Swinton Estate.

“A gentleman called us one day at 1.30pm because he was unable to go shopping and was running low on food. The Here to HELP team had done his shopping for him by 3pm. A request for a food box made at 2.30pm had been dropped off by a volunteer to the person in need just an hour later.

“Communities have come together and set up support in villages, and streets and neighbourhoods in Ripon have banded together. People are baking or cooking an extra meal and dropping it off at a neighbour’s house. Others are making headbands, scrubs or uniform bags for NHS, care home and key workers.

“The Wholemeal Cafe volunteers, who usually run the pop up cafe at Community House, are producing and delivering free hot meals on Thursdays.

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“We are trying hard to encourage people who might not ordinarily request assistance with food to reach out and get in touch with us. We have had cases of self-employed people who might need a couple of food parcels until they are able to access financial support. The main message is that you are not alone, we are here to help.”

The contact number for community support in Ripon during the coronavirus outbreak is 01765 603631 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm).

The County Council Customer Service Centre is available for urgent needs outside these times on 01609 780780.

Anyone involved with a charity or community group working in Ripon or surrounding area who would like to connect with others is welcome to join our Network. We are holding our first Zoom meeting next week and this will be a good opportunity to share current challenges, concerns and opportunities.

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It is more important than ever for us to work together to support people with different needs stay safe and well and to recover from the coronavirus crisis. Find out more at hadca.org.uk/ConnectingRipon

Finally to mention that, on Friday, May 1, changes at HARCVS mean that we are now known as HADCA (Harrogate and District Community Action) and Karen Weaver stepped down as CEO.

You can read about the changes at hadca.org.uk/news and the very good news that Karen has a continuing role with both HADCA and chairing Connecting Ripon!

Related topics:Ripon