Shropshire Star

New Ludlow charity gets £5,000 boost

A newly formed charity to help vulnerable people has been given £5,000.

Published

Hands Together Ludlow, a charity which aims to coordinate the volunteering efforts of caring agencies, other charities and people in and around Ludlow, has been awarded the grant from Shropshire Housing Group’s Community Development Fund

The money is earmarked specifically for the establishment of a referrals development project.

Sarah Kellett, Hands Together Ludlow administrator, said: "This will enable the appointment of a referral assessor who will monitor incoming notifications of needs among vulnerable people, and refer the task to one of a number of partner agencies and charities, or to a local volunteer registered with Hands Together Ludlow.

"The grant will also be used in the recruitment and training of volunteers, and to create awareness of the charity’s role in the local community."

She said the charity was created in response to a report entitled “Ludlow under Pressure” commissioned by Churches Together around Ludlow.

In the report a number of areas of need were highlighted, largely brought about by decreasing funding of statutory agencies, she said.

"As a result the charity now has three primary methods of working – networking with existing agencies and charities, recruiting volunteers from the local community, and establishing a number of projects to address specific problems such as healthy eating, loneliness and dementia.

"Since gaining independent charitable status, Hands Together Ludlow is becoming better established with support from local businesses, caring organisations and concerned individuals, as well as the local churches.

"Shropshire Housing Group recognise the valuable contribution that Hands Together Ludlow is beginning to make and are pleased to support this project, which will also be of benefit to the group's tenants and clients," she said.