27/03/20

Cardiff residents have stepped up to the plate and responded overwhelmingly to support people in need across the city.

Since the launch of a new volunteering scheme, Together for Cardiff, only seven days ago, more than 900 people have volunteered to give their time and services to help others during the Coronavirus crisis.

Together for Cardiff was established to harness the tide of community spirit that has come to the fore during the outbreak and to match people who want to help, with those in need of assistance, in safe and properly-managed way.

In the very short time the scheme has been running, more than 900 volunteers have offered their help while more than 200 checks have been carried out on individuals to ensure their suitability for helping and 30 volunteers are already out in the community supporting others.

Even more volunteers will be ‘on the ground' very soon as hub teams are working hard to contact people who have expressed an interest to find out how they want to help and to carry out basic checks.

The Hubs Adviceline, which normally takes around 25 calls a day, has taken more than 200 calls a day, and there have been 29,163 hits on the Volunteer Cardiff site since the scheme was launched.

The Council is supporting Cardiff Foodbank, with emergency parcels being distributed from four hubs  - St Mellons Hub, Ely and Caerau Hub, The Powerhouse in Llanedeyrn and Central Library Hub. 

Over the coming weeks, volunteers will assist the delivery of the Council's work to ensure those in most need, who are struggling to get provisions, have food and other essentials. Help shopping for food is also available for those who cannot leave home themselves.

Since last week, 46 Foodbank parcels have been collected from hubs and 534 parcels have been delivered to themost vulnerable who are self-isolating and have no funds.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: "There has been a phenomenal response to the Together for Cardiff scheme and we have been inundated with offers of help.

"A crisis can bring out the best in many people and that is certainly proving true as we seek to come together to ensure each other's needs are met during this challenging time. The figures speak for themselves - just amazing, thank you so much Cardiff!

"It's not only individuals rising to the occasion. Businesses large and small have donated food and essential items to the cause too and we are extremely grateful.We welcome any donations of food and other essential items to support the most vulnerable across the city, please get in touch."

Business who can donate food and essential items should contact07970 241 918 or emailemployerliaison@cardiff.gov.uk

Anyone who wants to volunteer can visit the Together for Cardiff pages on the Volunteer Cardiff websitewww.volunteercardiff.co.ukto find out about opportunities with local organisations while anyone without internet access can call the Adviceline on 029 2087 1071.