In response to the ongoing and developing impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, we are making this joint statement alongside Himmat and St Augustine’s to inform our communities and stakeholders what your local charities and community groups are doing, and how you can help.

As a community, the situation we are facing with regard to Coronavirus is unparalleled. The local VCS anchor organisations in Park Ward (Halifax Opportunities Trust, Himmat and St. Augustine’s) have come together to coordinate their response to ensure the most vulnerable in our communities are supported during this incredibly difficult period.

The variety of our collective support, advice & guidance for local people is often a lifeline to them and we are therefore naturally very concerned about the impact closure of services will have.  

We are all facing challenges and changes to how we operate and are looking at ways in which we can still provide our services using more creative & innovative methods, most of these are to be offered remotely by each individual organisation.

There are some services, however, that traditionally require ‘face to face’ contact and it is these services that we are collectively looking at ways in which we can still deliver in some way.  These include, but are not limited to:

• Provision of food for the most vulnerable & for children entitled to free school meals
• Support for those in crisis who need advice, guidance & advocacy
• Support for those where English is not their first language

We will be communicating and planning regularly, responding to the need as best we can. Our first point of call, other than telephone support, will be food provision. We, as a partnership, are currently in talks to develop a new food parcel service to run from Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre.

Where possible we will be working closely with the local schools, businesses, NHS and Council to coordinate efforts, and to ensure the most vulnerable people in our community are supported and protected. We want our friends across the voluntary and community sector, our colleagues in the NHS and Social Care, and our partners in the wider community to know that we are still working hard to support those in need and as a partnership we will keep doing everything we can across our local communities, while also ensuring the safety of our staff & keeping within government guidance.

Lastly, if you feel that you can help support these efforts in any way, please do get in touch.