We held a three-week campaign, spanning Volunteers' Week and Small Charity Week, to celebrate Nottingham's community response to the pandemic.
Now more than ever, we feel it's vital to shine a spotlight on the volunteers, charities and community/voluntary groups who are doing incredible work to support the city's most vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis. Ordinarily we would use these national events to celebrate volunteers and small charities for all the work they do annually - but this year, we want to do more by sharing some of the stories of Nottingham's community response to COVID-19 and in doing so, raise the profile of these incredible organisations and individuals who deserve recognition and thanks.
We asked Nottingham's Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to get involved by submitting stories, either a blog or vlog, about how their organisation has responded to the pandemic and what they have done to support people at this difficult time.
A new story was highlighted every weekday between 1 June and 19 June 2020.
Week One: Focus on Volunteers - Volunteers' Week 1 - 7 June 2020
Thanks to a core team of dedicated volunteers, this Community Interest Company has been able to overhaul its services in response to COVID-19.
Volunteers with this new local food project are providing a lifeline to vulnerable residents.
A new telephone befriender service and online penpal service launched quickly thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.
A surge in volunteering support has allowed the Centre to help isolated people during lockdown.
Volunteers are delivering meals to Nottingham families in need.
Week Two: Inspiring stories of how community support has adapted during the pandemic
Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
A letter-writing scheme launched in response to the COVID-19 crisis has made such a difference.
During the pandemic, a project to reintroduce Nottinghamshire’s county flower has united and connected over 900 volunteers.
Igbo Women Association Nottingham
Providing food packages to frontline hospital staff is just one of the ways that the Igbo Women Association Nottingham (IWAN) has responded.
The self help charity has embraced lockdown changes to provide vital support.
Discovering new ways of working during the pandemic to take part in the global City Nature Challenge.
Week Three: Celebrating Small Charities during Small Charity Week 15 - 20 June 2020
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum
This video explores NNRF's response to the lockdown and highlights its amazing volunteers.
The charity adapted quickly to help Nottingham families stay active and connected in their homes.
Running a food delivery service is one of the many ways the Centre has supported local women.
The charity has taken to Zoom to continue providing support to Nottingham families during lockdown.
The community garden has helped families connect with nature and enjoy green spaces by delivering free vegetable plants.