Lybster-based group serve up a welcome breath of fresh air
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Caithness Community Connections have been serving up around 80 hot meals a day for many local residents struggling with another lockdown.
"You guys really are a breath of fresh air during the week – thank you for the activities and lunches," said one happy recipient.
Another recipient of the Helping Hands food boxes left a message on the group's social media saying: "Thank you so much – it was such a lovely gesture it made me cry! Honestly appreciate you all so much."
Welcoming the response to the community resilience support, Heather Urquhart said: "We have received very positive feedback and it's clear what we are doing is making an impact and having a positive effect. We are a bit better prepared this time as we know what we are doing."
She explained: "We've received funding from SSE and Highland Council enabling us to provide hot meals to those needing to isolate, those struggling with another lockdown, the elderly in the community and kids who are missing a hot meal at school.
"This lockdown is a bit more challenging for everyone because of the winter conditions, so we can also offer adults or children small activity packs to help keep them going. In the summertime you could get out in the garden, you cannot do that now so we are looking for something to put in, maybe a quiz.
"Community resilience teams are working throughout Caithness and our 'patch' covers from Forse to Clyth and inland small communities such as Roster. If we can't help we try to put people in touch with an organisation that can help such as another community resilience group or organisation such as Caithness CAB."
The project coordinator of the Lybster-based group added: "We are able to collect and deliver prescriptions, undertake shopping for individuals who are isolating and run other small errands, and just check in on folk if their relatives or others are worried about them.
"Individuals can also contact us if they, or someone they know has been furloughed, they've lost their job or their domestic circumstances have changed. Thanks to our partners at Caithness Foodbank, CFine and Thurso Co-op's FareShare programme we can also provide emergency/short term food help."
Anyone looking for help can contact Heather on 07885295264.
In addition Caithness Community Connections are also continuing the online youth clubs, as they are aware everyone is looking for activities to keep them occupied over the winter months.
Children living in the Thrumster Primary School catchment area can join the group during one of two Wednesday sessions, and those in the Lybster/Dunbeath Primary School area can take part in one of four sessions held on Mondays and Fridays, using Zoom.
More details can be found on the group's Facebook page or by emailing: caithnesscommunityconnections@gmail.com
The group are still able to distribute free hand sanitiser from the Ice & Fire Distillery and they are in Latheronwheel the second Monday of every month from 10.30-11.00am at the top of the village with bottles, as well as popping bottles on doorsteps as requested elsewhere.
During the summer the group was involved in providing outdoor activities for children which proved popular.
