Active Schools Inverclyde have played their part to support their local community by delivering nearly 20 tonnes of emergency food supplies to vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A partnership between Active Schools Inverclyde, Youth Work Services, Inverclyde Leisure and Inverclyde Council has helped to feed people across the region since the country went into lockdown in March.
Almost 10 tonnes of goods have been used to provide 350 food bags every two weeks for the area’s most vulnerable children and their families.
A further eight tonnes has been sorted and sent out to local charities and third sector organisations to support those in need throughout Inverclyde over the last six weeks in partnership with the charity FareShare.
The Active Schools Coordinators have also been busy on social media, engaging young people on a range of different topics including getting and staying active, mental health awareness week and promoting volunteering as part of Volunteer week.
The Active Schools team have also helped various local schools with virtual sports days and events as well as working with schools to review programmes and begin to plan for provisions during recovery and beyond.
The work doesn’t stop over summer, as community sport hubs in Inverclyde will be open for the children of key workers and those who are seen as vulnerable. Activities have been adapted to comply with physical distancing as well as strict hygiene requirements.
Chief Operating Officer for sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “This has clearly been an extremely difficult time for people across Scotland.
"It is heartening to see the great work being done in Inverclyde with so many people coming together to help others."
“As we continue to move through the Scottish Government’s route map through and out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to work with our partners across the sporting system to support communities throughout Scotland and the phased return of sport at all levels.”
Heather MacPherson, Team Leader for Youth and Sport at Inverclyde Council, said: ‘’Lockdown has presented many challenges as well as opportunities in terms of delivery of public services. Active Schools are proud to have contributed to the delivery of critical services to vulnerable individuals and families across Inverclyde in collaboration with our colleagues and partners.
“We have been asked to work outside our normal routines and networks which has enabled our knowledge and understanding of the local area to grow as well as building confidence amongst the team in terms of working in different contexts.’’
