Funding helps organisations support vulnerable people in Aylesbury

Two organisations who received funding from Aylesbury Community Board have shared how the funding helped them reach out to the local community.

Dr Prakash Dey from the Aylesbury Hindu Temple Trust, and Lee Lloyd, Head of Fundraising from the Florence Nightingale Hospice Trust, were invited to present at the latest board meeting.

Dr Day gave details on the way their funding was used to provide support to vulnerable families during the pandemic, the Trust was able to arrange food and essentials deliveries for individuals and families who were shielding.

The group went on to develop a range of online activities for community members including yoga and social groups, helping people to keep in touch and prevent social isolation.

Mr Lloyd explained how the funding the Florence Nightingale Hospice Trust received was used to create a video to replace the regular Tree of Light event that is usually held annually.

Due to Covid restrictions the event could not take place so instead the Trust created a secular video entitled A Time to Reflect. Using music, imagery, quotes and reflections, the video provides a gentle but moving way for people to remember their own loved ones who they have sadly lost.

The Trust also created an online book of remembrance for people to write their personal thoughts and reflections.

Speaking after both presentations, Mark Winn, Chairman of the Aylesbury Community Board said: “These are just two examples of the projects the board has helped to support since last July.

"It is amazing to hear how Community Board funding has made a real difference to peoples’ lives within our community.”

Aylesbury Community Board action subgroups were set up to address the board's priorities and updates were shared at the meeting about each group:

- Enhancing the Lives of our Young People - development of a Youth Views project to help understand the needs of young people

- Covid-19 Economic Recovery- working with key partners to understand local needs to support economic recovery resulting from the impact of the pandemic

- Health and Wellbeing - focused discussion to learn more about what services are available in our community, including Domestic Violence support

- Improving the Environment - Cllr Sarah James (Coldharbour Parish Council) took the spotlight to provide a detailed update which included the development of local projects around sustainability, wildflower planting and waterways.

- Community Safety - discussions around drug related litter and how to report and an introduction to Street Associations and Neighbourhood Watch initiatives

- Road Safety, Highways and Infrastructure - the community board learnt about the Housing Funding Infrastructure Fund and the South East Aylesbury Link Road and the benefits to the community.

Cllr Winn said: "The actions of the subgroups really show how we can come together to make a difference to the lives of residents in Aylesbury."

The meeting also received a resident’s petition on the Southcourt Emergency Active Travel Scheme.

The temporary scheme was introduced in November as a trial to encourage more journeys by foot and bike, as part of the central government Emergency Active Travel initiative.

Views from all interested groups will be taken into account when a decision on whether to extend the scheme is made shortly. Find out more on the Emergency Active Travel schemes in Buckinghamshire on the council's website.

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