Lisa Playford, the Senior Development Worker at Willingdon Trees Community Centre, pictured on a home delivery, during the 2020 coronavirus outbreak.

Based in Eastbourne, Willingdon Trees Community Centre has used our grant to help establish the Willingdon Trees Help Point to help people in Hampden Park and the surrounding areas who are required to self-isolate due to Covid-19.  The Help Point currently has 18 community volunteers helping over 40 vulnerable people with essential tasks like shopping and prescription collection, as well as telephone befriending to help tackle the loneliness people are feeling as the result of isolating.

Lisa Playford, the Senior Development Worker, pictured here on a delivery, said “People accessing the service are really appreciative of the practical help with things like shopping, as well as the regular contact whilst isolating.  Volunteers are also feeling the benefit, with many saying that being able to do something to help others in these difficult times feels good and is helping them to cope, too.”