Special deliveries for the isolated
Festive treats have been included in activity packs which will be delivered to vulnerable people in Walsall amid Covid-19.
The items have been put together by the group behind Pelsall Community Centre and forms part of the Neighbour Natters project.
The initiative gives support to people who have been isolated at home, with nowhere to go to due to community centres being shut.
It was set up by the Walsall Community Network – made up of community organisations – and has been backed by the National Lottery.
Now, to help bring some festive cheer, mince pies and chocolate have been included alongside activity packs delivered to combat loneliness.
Keir Pedley, chairman of the Pelsall Community Association, said: "We formed a network – the Walsall Community Network – to help support people who are most in need.
"The umbrella for this is 'Neighbourhood Natters' and there's 10 local community associations across Walsall who are running projects to support members of the community.
"At the moment there's been a monthly 'boredom buster' for October and November and there's a bumper one this month for Christmas with a card and some treats."
Mr Pedley said the scheme allowed them to help people who used the community centre – which may have been their only source of interaction – tackle the loneliness they feel.
And the reaction to the scheme has been "very good" with around 150 packs being sent out a month – with a focus now on providing activities for younger people in the area.
Arthur Roberts, another member of the group, added: "We put a pack together to keep people's minds active for those who are lonely or who've been referred to us.
"The packs consists of activities on paper and since it's Christmas, my wife made 70 small shopping bags and we put in chocolate and mince pies for people to enjoy."
