Operation CommUNITY was set up as a response to the Covid 19 pandemic.
It is a partnership with The NHS, Herts Help and East Herts Council supporting vulnerable people across the Stort Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) which takes in Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and the Hadhams.
But its aims are wider than the immediate pandemic and there are ambitious plans to extend its reach with wider community projects in the pipeline for 2021.
Operation CommUNITY has brought together local charities and organisations such as Age Concern, The Salvation Army, Bishop’s Wellbeing, Food Bank, Night Shelter, Citizens Advice East Herts, St Claire Hospice, Reengage, The Welbeloved Club, Grove Cottage and many more groups/services in town and village locations to support the most vulnerable members of the community.
To date, we have delivered 4059 meals, 1062 shopping trips and errands, 1050 care packages and managed over 4500+ calls offering befriending, advice and guidance.
“So far, our 160-plus volunteers have collectively delivered over 7500 hours of support, excluding additional staff hours and behind the scenes admin support!” said Zara Skidmore who co-founded the organisation with Simon Marlow, Social Prescriber Stort Valley and Villages PCN.