Thurso group clocking up the miles to provide community support
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Staff and volunteers at Thurso Community Development Trust (TCDT) are continuing to go the extra mile to help those in need during the coronavirus lockdown.
They have attended to more than 900 requests and covered some 1800 miles in delivering community support around Thurso, Halkirk and Caithness West.
The group's dedicated team of active volunteers have been doing shopping and collecting medication for vulnerable people, and are now bringing hot meals.
The hot meals have proved popular since starting three weeks ago, with more than 700 having been delivered to residents across the area so far.
TCDT is keen to highlight that the hot meals service is open to anyone and financial assistance is an option should users require it. A small payment is also welcome.
Development manager Joan Lawrie said: “We’re keen for the community to see the hot meals service as kindness in a takeaway container.
"We can help take the stress out of cooking one, two or up to five days a week. This could be ideal for families who are juggling work with home schooling or those who just fancy a weekly treat, considering our usual options are currently closed.
"It’s important to remember too that running the service is giving people something to do, which is benefiting them as well as those receiving the tasty meals.”
TCDT received money from the Scottish Government's Supporting Communities Fund which has allowed the service to operate. The funding allows the trust to offer meals free of charge to anyone who could benefit from some extra support during the crisis.
Members of the community are encouraged to get in touch with the trust on 01847 867050 to seek help or to request a hot meal. Meals are served Monday to Friday and are delivered at lunchtime each day.
The group's Thurso Grows project aims to help too by offering seeds and growing boxes free of charge to anyone who fancies getting green-fingered during lockdown. Weekly online cooking sessions have been held, using up ingredients that would otherwise be wasted.
TCDT has been offering wellbeing packs to families and isolating individuals which will provide entertainment and new activities. Donations have been collected county-wide and plans are in hand to distribute the packs to those who need them most.
The trust says it will work with partner organisations to identify families and individuals before offering the packs to the public.
Trust chairperson Helen Allan said: “The response to the call-out for donations for wellbeing packs has been amazing and we’re sorting through items and building the packs. These will allow people to read books, do jigsaw puzzles, try some craft work and much more.”
TCDT was delighted to receive a donation from members of Top Joes Tartan Army who had planned a bus trip to a Scotland football match which was then cancelled.
Instead of accepting refunds, Top Joes Tartan Army donated £700 to the trust. This will be used to buy outdoor play equipment for families to use at home.
TCDT normally produces a quarterly community magazine that acts as a fundraiser as it is sold in various retailers in Thurso. Funding was awarded from Foundation Scotland’s Community Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund which has allowed the trust to produce a special edition that will be delivered to homes in Thurso, Halkirk and Caithness West.
The magazine includes information on local services, articles and a colouring sheet for kids.
