Trafford’s vital and successful Community Hubs, which were set up to support people through the coronavirus epidemic, are celebrating after receiving extra funding.
The six Trafford Hubs in Altrincham, Sale, Partington, Stretford, Old Trafford and Urmston, have been funded by the Trafford Crisis Fund launched by Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust. Four of the Hubs have also collectively received funding of £95,000 From the National Lottery Fund. The Hubs in Old Trafford and Partington applied separately to the Lottery and have received further support.
The Hubs, which were supported to apply to the National Lottery by Thrive Trafford, can now stay open until next year and continue to help the most vulnerable in our communities with vital medical and food supplies. The Hubs are continuing to be supported by the Council and the Old Trafford and Stretford Hubs have received £8,117 from the Del Panno Trust Fund. This Fund was left in trust to Trafford Council by a local family who asked that the money be spent to help needy residents in Streford and Old Trafford.
The hubs have been open since March and provided a vital lifeline to those who were vulnerable and self-isolating through the first wave of the pandemic. They are now stepping up their activities as the country once again faces a period of lockdown.
They were set up and co-ordinated by Trafford Council, Trafford CCG, Trafford Housing Trust, Citizens Advice Trafford, Thrive Trafford, and the committed community organisations who operate the Hubs: The Hub in Altrincham, Our Sale West, The Hideaway, Age UK Trafford, The Friends of Stretford Public Hall and St John’s Centre.
Cllr Graham Whitham, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that these vital hubs have been given more financial support by Trafford Council, the Del Panno Trust Fund and the National Lottery. The Hubs have been a vital lifeline since the pandemic hit in March and continue to be so. Now that we are in lockdown, even more people who are isolating will need help from the Hubs, whether that be accessing food, medical supplies or other sources of support.
Can I also please take the opportunity to say thank you to the hundreds of brilliant Trafford volunteers who are using their time and expertise to run the Hubs. Without the help and support from our amazing volunteers it would have been an impossible task to reach those that need our help the most. It shows what an amazing sense of community spirit and togetherness there is in Trafford.”
All residents will have recently received a letter through the post detailing how to access a range of different support at this difficult time. For anyone struggling with support needs, and are unable to get help from family, friends or a local group, should call 0300 330 9073 (8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday).
Posted on Thursday 5th November 2020