News Make time for your neighbours at Christmas
Maidstone Borough Council’s Leader – Cllr Martin Cox, is asking everyone to spare some time and take part in an act of thoughtfulness for their neighbours and others who may be lonely this Christmas.
By making a phone call or contacting them in someway to show that you are thinking of them could make all the difference to someone who is feeling alone and is essential in supporting vulnerable people.
Cllr Cox said:
“Christmas can be a difficult time for many but is likely to be even more so this year as the borough of Maidstone, Kent and the south east are in Clovid-19 Tier 4 across the festive period.“Loneliness is incredibly hard to cope with and an act of neighbourliness could make all the difference. Just a few minutes on the phone or sending someone a message to let them know you’re thinking of them could help enormously, maybe the only contact they have had in days and very often the thing they want and need most.”
One local charity that has been taking the time to do just that is Involve Kent. The organisation has reassigned its’ team to make ‘safe and well call’s’ to people on their database, those referred to them by MBC and local GP’s.
Gary Wells, Deputy CEO, Involve Kent said:
“Our work is about connecting communities. During the first lockdown our team made over 10,500 safe and well calls to some lonely and isolated people in our community. We continue our befriending work, contact them on a regular basis and are planning to call some on across the festive period including Christmas Day.”
Involve usually provides a Christmas meal for vulnerable people in the local communities in the Maidstone area. As the charity is unable to do so this year the team has delivered 150 food hampers to people across the borough, with volunteer drivers also taking vulnerable people to have vaccinations, collecting their shopping, prescriptions and medication.
Mr Wells added:
“Involve Kent would like to thank Maidstone Borough Council for their continued support and insight, as a local charity we would not be as effective without the Council’s support. MBC offers networking opportunities for local organisations and an insight into local emerging issues, ensuring that together we are equipped to deliver support.“Through the Covid-19 crisis and lockdowns our relationship with MBC has been strengthened and has ensured that food and medication reached the most vulnerable in the borough of Maidstone. It is lovely to be based in a borough that is so supportive and committed to partnership working.”
To find out more about Involve Kent go to the website: https://www.involvekent.org.uk/