The Little Town with a Big Heart – working together to support the Congleton Community

Congleton Town Mayor, Cllr Sally Ann Holland, praised the
people of Congleton for the way in which everyone is pulling together to help
each other.  Community groups, charities,
churches, emergency services, volunteers, Congleton Town Council and Cheshire East
Council are working together to try and support all members of the community,
but especially those who are most vulnerable.

Five new initiatives have been developed aimed at helping
people in Congleton.

• Congleton COVID-19 Information line – 01260 541815. The line is staffed from 11am – 7pm seven days a week. It is being managed by Congleton Town Council and taken calls by local people, many connected through the Congleton Partnership or Town Council. The aim is to help people to get the local help that they need, particularly those who are not able to go online to find out information for themselves.

• An additional Food Hub has been set up in the Town Hall. This hub is in close contact with Congleton’s permanent food bank based out of  New Life Church and has been able to supplement and support those in need during this crisis. Food is collected and sorted at the Town Hall and then distributed in the afternoons. Two of the local volunteers Shaun Radcliffe and Callum Bloor have been put forward for hero awards for their huge efforts with this hub. The Town Hall staff are working with Aldi to ensure that there is a consistent supply of goods to meet resident needs. Note that this food hub will temporarily move to Bromley Farm Community Centre from Friday 10^th April until Wednesday 15^th April. There will be an NHS Give Blood session in the Town Hall on Tuesday 14^th April.

• Congleton COVID-19 Community Facebook site – Administered by Congleton Town Council and Congleton Chronicle, having initially been set up by two local volunteers. This site is only for the duration of the crisis. This provides the opportunity for residents to communicate their immediate needs to members of the site and local residents may choose to make contact and offer support, this is not a formal service.

• People Helping People- An initiative set by Cheshire East Council which more than 160 Congleton residents have registered a willingness to help other local residents who are not able to get out with vital tasks such as collecting prescriptions, check-up telephone calls, collecting shopping, posting letters or walking dogs.

In order to enhance these services further, Congleton Town Council would like to hear from people who are taking on a volunteer co-ordinating role for their street, or who are prepared to help people very local to them. You can let the Town Council know via an online form, click here, or email info@congleton-tc.gov.uk  There is no obligation and you should only do what you are able to do. If you volunteer you will also be sent some further guidance on best practice. During the past two weeks a number of businesses and individuals have expressed a wish to donate money into a fund to help with the COVID-19 activities for Congleton. Congleton Town Council has already allocated some funds to deal with emergencies. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, the Chief Officer and chairs of the Town Council Committees will be discussing this via remote access plans and a process to receive donations.