Banbury charity receives grant to help young families during coronavirus

Home-Start Banbury, Bicester and Chipping Norton applied for the funding from local electricity distributor, Western Power Distribution (WPD) from its In This Together – Community Fund.

The fund, which has now closed, invited applications from charities, community groups, parish councils and local authorities to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help those directly affected by the pandemic.

Louise Sansom, grants and trust fundraiser at Home-Start Banbury, Bicester and Chipping Norton, said: “We are delighted and very grateful to receive the funding from WPD.

"During the Covid-19 crisis, our staff and volunteers are providing weekly telephone calls to support the emotional wellbeing of our supported families.

"The practical and emotional demands of parenthood are challenging enough in normal times, but the current pandemic adds so many additional layers of anxiety, uncertainty and isolation. We remain as committed as ever to supporting parents in the critical early years of childhood and we thank WPD for helping us to do this.”

In total, £162,000 has been donated to a range of local hospitals, community groups, local authorities and parish councils across the West Midlands by WPD, enabling vital support and care to be delivered directly to people impacted by the coronavirus.

In addition, local councils, community groups and volunteer organisations have received awards to support those in need of extra care during the lockdown.

Alison Sleightholm, WPD’s resources and external affairs director, said: “Our team has worked tirelessly to get our fund running and active. I’m delighted that we‘ve been able to move quickly and support some fantastic organisations which are making a real difference to thousands of vulnerable people through the pandemic.”

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