A REGISTERED charity has joined forces with nine local community councils across South Wrexham to coordinate a group response to help support vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.

Caroline Tudor-James, chief officer at the Rainbow Centre, said: “We are totally committed to ensuring the most vulnerable are supported and kept as safe and well as possible during these challenging times.

“The Rainbow Centre manage a team of Community Agents who operate from our wellbeing hub and work across South Wrexham, they are trained to offer advice and support on a range of issues.”

“Linking the work of Community Agents to a network of local volunteers, has been invaluable, it has enabled Community Agents to focus on assessing people’s needs and arranging appropriate support (including arranging home care, living aids, meals and nutrition, wellbeing support, benefit advice), whilst being able to also link them to local volunteers who can provide direct assistance with shopping, prescriptions and dog walking.”

On March 16, the group joined forces with Overton Community Council to agree an approach which could be replicated swiftly across the Community Council areas we support in response to Covid-19.

Within a week, a Community Response leaflet was produced and had been delivered to homes across South Wrexham promoting the cause.

Caroline added: “We are so grateful to all the Community Councils and Marchwiel’s resident led group, who are all coordinating volunteers locally. Without their support Community Agents would not be able to cope with the additional demand on services that the COVID-19 pandemic has created.

“The partnership has also been invaluable in highlighting people who require a higher level of support that would otherwise have fallen through the net, and in attracting volunteers to support the delivery of our meals on wheels service to their local area.”

The shared community response ensures residents have access to the support, advice, and practical help they need, whilst ensuring vulnerable people and those volunteering are protected and stay safe.

Caroline also gave thanks to local business Right Sort Mailing Company who prioritised printing the Community Response Leaflets as the UK moved into lockdown as well as all the volunteers who delivered them.

Praise was also extended to the Wrexham Rural division of North Wales Police for supporting the group.

Charlotte Copeman, Overton Community Council member, said: “We are really pleased to be able to work with the Rainbow Centre to make sure everyone in our community feels supported in these unprecedented times.”

Community Councils within the South Wrexham Community Response area: Bangor on Dee, Overton, Erbistock and Eyton, Marchwiel, Sesswick (Cross Lanes), South Maelor (Penley and Betisfield) Hanmer, Bronington, Willington and Worthenbury. Next to join are Holt, Isycoed, and Abenbury.

To find our more, contact the Community Agent hotline on 01948 830242. For meals on wheels, contact the Rainbow Centre on 01948 830730.