Community Hub

CACT staff member posing with shopping for vulnerable people in the community

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) were asked by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to deliver the Community Hub, an all-encompassing service supporting vulnerable residents and helping people to self isolate. The Community Hub built on the existing Live Well Greenwich service, and continues to operate in connection with our other Health Improvement programmes.

The Community Hub included a shopping and transportation service, where CACT staff and volunteers shopped, picked up prescriptions and visited food banks on behalf of vulnerable residents. They delivered medication, food and essential items like fuel top-ups and vouchers, baby formula and stop smoking products to those who were self isolating. 

Along with the deliveries, CACT ran a phone service, which was open 7 days a week. These calls helped coordinate requests for deliveries and offered advice, financial support and health support. 

A key aspect of the Community Hub contact centre was the friendship calls, providing social and emotional support to residents who were lonely or shielding. When restrictions eased, the Community Hub began ‘Walk and Talks’ with residents who felt isolated. ​​473 residents in Royal Greenwich were supported with the befriending line throughout the pandemic.

From March 2020 to March 2021, the CACT Health Team made and received 262,024 calls, responded to 16,570 referrals for an emergency service, 3255 individual households received an emergency food delivery and 1422 households received delivery medication. Over 2000 people volunteered to help with the Community Hub and offer their time and support to others in the local area.

The Community Hub has been an incredibly important service supporting the community during a confusing, difficult and isolating time. Being supported by the Community Hub also enabled people to be referred to further community services to support their long term health, such as Live Well, Extra Time or Greenwich Get Walking.

Residents have benefitted from the Community Hub not just in the COVID-19 emergency, but continuously, through cutting down on drinking, getting active and reducing isolation.

"My aunt, who is almost 90 years old and lives in Eltham, was concerned how she would buy her food. CACT came to the rescue and for the last 2+ weeks her food purchases have been delivered by volunteers. Thank you."

         - Phillip Hunnisett

“She phones asking how I am, what I’ve been doing & that sort of thing. We’re on the phone for about 20 minutes. I’m on the shielded patients list so haven’t been able to leave the house.”

         - Jacqueline Bryant, Mottingham

"I can't express my gratitude enough for the help during this time while having to self-isolate due to my son's health issues. The service that CACT is delivering is huge."

         - Royal Borough of Greenwich Resident

 

If you or anyone you know in Royal Greenwich needs support, please contact the Community Hub: