EAST Ayrshire Council’s Community Resilience Hubs have provided a lifeline for thousands of residents.

The hubs, which were established in response to lockdown, have seen local organisations and over 1000 volunteers, come together in partnership with the council’s Vibrant Communities to create a resilience network providing essential services to the most vulnerable.

Through this network, the council has distributed in the region of £137,000 to support 44 groups providing emergency and supplementary support, befriending and helping with shopping.

Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise received £3,000 from the fund to start up and stock a Food Larder at Townhead Community Sports Hub and Cumnock Juniors Social Club.

Since the start of April, the team have delivered over 60 emergency food parcels a week in the town, Auchinleck, Catrine and the surrounding area with priority given to those shielding or suffering financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mhairi McWilliam said: “Through social media, word of mouth and direct referrals from Vibrant Communities, we have reached hundreds of people in need. We want everyone to feel cared for during these worrying times.

“Many people have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to them. We have also found that people we support look forward to a chat on the doorstep with our volunteers.

“The council’s community resilience funding has allowed us to provide food packages to the most vulnerable people locally and to buy PPE for volunteers. This support has ensured that we can support our communities through difficult times.”

Funding was also provided to the Community Welfare Champion project covering Auchinleck and Muirkirk and Get Cash Clever in Netherthird.

The projects provide information on benefits to existing clients and to those accessing benefits for the first time due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

In addition, the Zone in Dalmellington, which also covers the Doon Valley; Logan day centre, Kilmaurs Community Kitchen, Foodshare Ark, Crossroads Community Hub and Muirkirk COVID-19 resilience group have all received funding to provide vital services to their communities. Their work includes providing food, hot meals and toiletries, collecting and delivering prescriptions, providing befriending telephone services, dog walking and helping people with bins.

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