Mayor of Lancaster congratulates High Sheriff Award winners

Recipients of an award presented to organisations that have gone the extra mile to support their communities have been congratulated by the Mayor of Lancaster.

This year’s High Sheriff of Lancashire Awards recognise community heroes who provided 'exceptional service to the community' during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Malcolm Thomas, who presented the awards on behalf of the High Sheriff, Catherine Penny, said: “I would like to congratulate all the recipients of this year’s High Sheriff of Lancashire Awards and personally thank each and every one of them for the support they have provided to our communities during the pandemic.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities and the dedication shown by these organisations has been invaluable in ensuring residents receive the support they need. They are worthy winners, each and every one.

“I would also like to place on record my thanks as a whole to all the community groups from across the district for their continuing excellent work in these difficult times.” 

Winners of the award in the Lancaster district were:

•       Carnforth COVID-19 Local Support Group

At the start of the pandemic, this team leaflet dropped to 3,000 residents to make people aware that there are volunteers who can help.

The team of volunteers have been offering assistance with shopping, dog walking, food bank drop-offs, collection of prescriptions, befriending, advice and guidance.

All these things have drawn community together, have established new relationships, and have helped to keep vulnerable residents safe and well-linked to the resources and help they need. 

•        Morecambe Bay Scrubs

Local Halton resident, retired midwife Sandra Lively, wanted to help during the coronavirus pandemic by making scrubs for Morecambe Bay Hospitals Trust staff.  

Sandra and Linda Frankland took up the challenge of recruiting sewing volunteers and together, the team sewed, and arranged collection and delivery.

The team of volunteers have produced more than 1,000 laundry bags, 800 Scrubs, 60 Scrub Caps and 100 gowns.
 
•       Caton-with-Littledale COVID-19 Helpers & Volunteers
The team of volunteers have been helping residents with shopping and prescriptions and checking people are ok, and telephone befriending for people self-isolating or unwell. The community has also been making regular collections to donate to the local foodbank, and so contributing to the wider effort to help people across the Lancaster district who are struggling during the pandemic.

 •        Lancaster Integrated Care Community

The local Integrated Care Community have been building on their earlier work prior to the pandemic, to further draw people together to promote community and help people and their wellbeing. Through a regular online forum, they have been at the forefront of connecting people from services, groups and the local community, to work collaboratively to help our vulnerable people.  This was a fantastic team effort for all the ICC’s across our district.

•       Overton COVID-19 Team

Through a network of area co-ordinators, volunteers did daily routine walks of every street to make sure everyone was ok and had the things they need.  The local postal workers were also keeping watch for anyone they think might need help.

Residents also sewed scrubs to support local keyworkers and Morecambe Bay Foodbank collections took place at various resident’s homes across Overton and animal food donations were also collected for Animal Care, and Wolfwood, Lancaster. 

•        Eggcup

Eggcup stops surplus food from going to waste and gets it to people in need. 
Working in partnership with Lancaster and Morecambe College Catering Department, including volunteer students, meals made from were prepared at the college

The college made as many as 1,500 meals a week and Eggcup co-ordinated requests for food and delivered these meals to vulnerable people around the district.