#BrumTogether is being delivered by more than 70 partner organisations, who are all working hard to get essential supplies and services to the city’s vulnerable residents during the Coronavirus lockdown.
We’ve created this blog series to shine the spotlight on these partner organisations, who’s kindness, hard work and dedication, is enabling the #BrumTogether campaign to reach out and help individuals and families. First up in the spotlight is Witton Lodge Community Association:
Q. What do you do?
A. We’re a community association and community landlord that was established by Perry Common residents in 1994 in response to the announcement that 908 houses were going to be demolished.
We currently own and manage almost 200 homes for social rent and a 40-apartment Extra Care Scheme called Sycamore Court. We also provide a range of employment, health and wellbeing and environment support services and work closely with local residents and partners to host community events and activities.
Q. How are you helping #BrumTogether?
A. We’ve established a Community Response Team for Perry Common and Wyrley Birch with partners, including St Martin’s Church, St Margaret Mary Church, Urban Devotion Birmingham and The Net Pentecostal Church.
The team’s aim is to deliver food parcels and supplies to the elderly, vulnerable and isolated. We’re also providing residents with a befriending service and online training support sessions four days a week to help people with their employment, training and health and wellbeing needs.
Q. Are you doing anything else to help Birmingham communities?
A. Yes, we’re the lead partner for the Erdington COVD19 Taskforce. The taskforce is made up of community groups, local organisations and individuals, including MPs, councillors and the police, who are working together to provide outreach support and services where it’s most needed. For instance, by working together to provide solutions to issues, such as loneliness, anti-social behaviour, mental health, food poverty, medical supplies, homelessness, wellbeing and bereavement.
We’re also the lead partner, alongside Compass Support, for the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (NNS),which was established last September to help older residents lead independent and connected lives.
Up to £10,000 in funding is available through the NNS for individuals and organisations to deliver activities that support people aged 50 and over; helping with their mental and emotional wellbeing, physical wellbeing and lifestyle and encouraging them to become more active in their communities and connect with like-minded people.
For more details about #BrumTogether, visit – https://theaws.co.uk/coronavirus/
If you would like to make a donation to #BrumTogether, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/brumtogether (all money received will go directly to the purchase of food items, hygiene packs, baby packs and activity packs for kids).
