This is how charities across the Wakefield district are working together through the coronavirus crisis

Charities across the district are working together to support those in need during the coronavirus crisis.
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And more than 60 voluntary groups have benefited from charitable grants and funding since the country went into lockdown, it has been revealed.

Support agency Nova Wakefield, visual arts charity The Art House and charity Wakefield District Health and Community Support said they had already provided more than £1 million of support to charities and voluntary groups.

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Sydney Thornbury, CEO of The Art House, said: “At The Art House we feel that creativity isn’t just about art - it’s an approach for solving all sorts of problems.

Support system: Volunteers at St Georges Community Hub, pictured prior to lockdown, are among those to have benefited from the work of local charities.Support system: Volunteers at St Georges Community Hub, pictured prior to lockdown, are among those to have benefited from the work of local charities.
Support system: Volunteers at St Georges Community Hub, pictured prior to lockdown, are among those to have benefited from the work of local charities.

“Pooling our resources and collaborating with Nova and WDHCS gives us the chance to take a strategic and creative approach to grant making, making sure that the emergency relief money constructively supports as many organisations across the third sector as possible.”

It comes as the Community Foundation for Wakefield District continues their campaign to raise an additional £500,000 for charities in the district.

Many charities have seen a spike in requests for support during the crisis, even as health concerns and social distancing rules force them to rethink their working practices.

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In the first month of their work, Nova answered more than 1,600 calls for help from local groups.

Business expert Kate Hardcaste is among the celebrities to have backed the #WakefieldCares campaign.Business expert Kate Hardcaste is among the celebrities to have backed the #WakefieldCares campaign.
Business expert Kate Hardcaste is among the celebrities to have backed the #WakefieldCares campaign.

Among the groups who have benefitted from the donations is the Westfield Centre Community Hub in South Elmsall, who said that donations had helped them support dozens of people, including an elderly woman who had recently lost her only surviving relative to Covid-19.

At the St George’s Community Hub, in Lupset, volunteers have been focusing on telephone befriending, a lifeline service for those who would otherwise be alone.

Kath Lindley, CEO of Wakefield District Health and Community Support, said: “This new way of working has not always been easy.

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“We are so used to working from our offices, face to face, or by email, so being at home and seeing people’s faces pop up on the small screen was a bit disturbing to start with!

“The longer it goes on though, the easier it gets and a lot of us think that this might become the new ‘normal’ after social distancing restrictions are eased.”

Launched last month, the #WakefieldCares campaign aims to raise all-important cash in support of vital charities and voluntary groups.

Backed by the Express, the Community Foundation for Wakefield District hopes to raise £500,000 to support the volunteers and charity staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

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With help from Wakefield Council, Nova and more, the charity have received pledges of £4 for every £1 donated, meaning that they will be able to reach their total funding target with just £100,000 of public donations.

From delivering emergency food packets to providing vital mental health support, these charities are at the heart of our communities.

The campaign has been backed by a number of famous faces, including Chris Kamara, Sir Rodney Walker and business expert Kate Hardcastle.

She said: “As the current situation brings me back home to Yorkshire, I’m so proud to see our communities pulling together.

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“I’m backing the #WakefieldCares campaign because the frontline charities and community groups are doing a fantastic job of supporting vulnerable families and elderly people in Wakefield.

“Hopefully this vital work will be able to continue for those who need it most.”

Visit justgiving.com/campaign/Wakefieldcares for more information on the campaign or to donate today.

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