The COVID-19 pandemic has brought together all levels of government and the local community to support local people.
The County Council has been responsible for co-ordinating the local response to COVID-19. They have helped manage contact tracing and supported NHS partners to deliver testing. They have also delivered thousands of meals for vulnerable residents across the county.
Harpenden Town Council has led on the development of a recovery plan for our high streets in Harpenden and Southdown. They have supplied signage and taken a number of steps to support social distancing efforts. They have also installed hand sanitising stations across the town.
The government has put in a huge number of measures to support jobs in Hitchin & Harpenden. 11,700 jobs in the constituency were protected under the furlough scheme; businesses received £19m in business grants and £52m in bounce back loans; and self-employed people received £12m in support.
Local MP Bim Afolami worked with ministers on the creation of a discretionary grant scheme, which enabled the District Council to provide a further £1.3m in grants to local businesses not covered by previous grant schemes.
Harpenden Cares: our community response
Harpenden Cares was set up in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is a community effort, supported by Harpenden Town Council and bringing together a wide range of brilliant local charities and churches including the Harpenden Trust, the Salvation Army and Bethany Community Church.
Hundreds of volunteers have given their time manning the call centre, delivering food and medicine to vulnerable or isolated people, running the foodbank and providing a befriending service through a stressful and difficult period. A large network of local street groups has been set up around Harpenden to exchange information and provide support.
Over the last 5 months there have been: 1,900 requests for help, 1,600 foodbank deliveries and 2,500 deliveries of food/medicine from the shopping service. Harpenden Cares has supported many people who would have had no one else to turn to.
Mary Maynard says: ‘Our community in Harpenden has been magnificent, coming together to look after our most vulnerable residents at a time of real crisis. Although there has been limited need over the summer, this virus has not gone away and as we go into autumn/winter, we expect local outbreaks to appear. Harpenden Cares will be there to help.’
If you need help or would like to volunteer – call Harpenden Cares on 01582 460457.
