Supporting the ward during Covid

Many will look back at the past few months and think about furlough, staying at home or shielding, but for many it was about supporting others.

Our own ward Councillor, Giles dealt with many ward issues along with Chairing meetings and catching up with Neighbourhood Police and Community Support on Teams (Web Based Video Conferencing).

Expecting the workload to drop off during lockdown, it soon became apparent that the ward needed more support than ever, leading him to work with local organisations to help coordinate food support between the hub at Panteg House and the ward distributors .

Using a share of his allocated ward funding (Small Schemes, local voluntary Funding) £1500 was put towards food parcels and Covid19 safety, helping provide food for the vulnerable who were shielding with another £1000 put towards providing activity packs for the ward children (90 Packs in total which contained enough items to keep up to 270 children between the ages of 5 to 11 happy).

Responding to many queries with regards to obtaining recycling boxes, nappy sacks etc, Councillor Davies decided to set up a ward distribution point at Noddfa Church Hall to coincide with their food share, this allowed residents to collect recycling equipment and pick up free food alongside.

To further support the ward Giles has now set up a scheme in partnership with Noddfa, similar to the successful Free to a Good Home to provide essential school items for the schools to distribute to any child who needs a pencil case full of items to assist them with their school work, along with a calculator, this will link nicely into Noddfa Uniform Bank and Homework Club.

The Abersychan Ward also has its fair share of heroes, from the Pharmacies at Garndiffaith and Abersychan, Doctors, Nurses and Receptionists at the Group Practice,  Shop Staff, Carers, Police and not forgetting our own Fire Service Personnel, there really are too many to mention, but Thank You all, you really are appreciated!

Covid 19 has taught us to appreciate what we have, bring us closer and witness how wonderful the Abersychan Ward Community really are during a crises.