In his latest regular column, the chairman of Maldon District Council, Councillor Mark Heard, discusses how Maldon community groups and charities have supported residents over the pandemic.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been impressed by the innovation and partnership work which has been clearly visible in the Maldon District.

We have community spirit and resilience in abundance - it makes me proud to be chairman of such a district.

You may remember that back in January this year, I said that volunteers working within organisations are vital to the running of many local community groups and charities and there were a variety of ways in which you could get involved.

Whether you have a little time to spare or a lot - there is a role to suit, and you could help out in so many ways with a local environmental project or conservation scheme, offer some telephone care, be a minibus driver to help disabled and elderly people get out and about, and many other ways to contribute to the community.

We at the council offices, are also continuing to 'do our bit' for the community - staff have been working with parish and town councils, Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service, Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service, Churches Together in Maldon and the Salvation Army to provide support to individuals and families in need.

This involves delivery of food parcels and prescriptions, carrying out wellbeing checks and also some unusual requests like delivering urgent Christmas puddings from New Zealand to someone in Bradwell and feeding a family of ferrets!

To continue this fantastic multi-agency approach, these organisations are working together to provide ongoing support to our community through the formation of the 'Maldon District Community Response'.

This provides emergency support to residents who find themselves in immediate crisis or unable to access food or household essentials, because of self-isolation due to Covid-19.

Immediate crisis can include, domestic violence, housing/homelessness, bereavement, release from custody or a financial crisis.

To access the support available, a referral must be made through a partner organisation, a community organisation, a social prescriber, health visitor or school nurse.

Once referred, a member of the Community Response team will contact the individual or families to discuss their support requirements or signpost them to other services if there are additional long-term needs.

The Community Response team can provide food items for up to five days, childcare items, cooking equipment and small appliances, vouchers for supermarkets and winter warmth packs to ensure individuals and families are supported.

For further information on the Maldon District Community Response please see https://www.maldoncvs.org.uk/.

Thanks for reading this and as always - take care.

Councillor Mark S. Heard