KYP Covid 19 Response

During the Covid 19 pandemic, KYP supported individuals in understanding and following  government guidelines; responding to queries; listening to people; providing virtual assistance; signposting to the Council’s Emergency Response Centres and signposting/ referring to other help available through VCSE organisations as appropriate.

At the start of the pandemic, we began collecting food and supplies to distribute to self-isolating individuals, those physically unable to go out, people known to us who were facing financial or other challenges, and generally, anyone that needed our help. In the face of adversity, we channelled the community spirit and with the help of other organisations (including Empowering Minds, Aspire2Inspire Communities and Human Appeal), local businesses, local activists, volunteers and local residents, we embarked on this effort, unsure of the sort of response we would get. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of people, and as the pictures show, we were inundated with the response. 

Our aim was to reach 350 households focussing on individuals and families with specific cultural dietary needs but not to the exclusion of others. Indeed, besides members of the BAME communities, we have supported local care homes, elderly people and vulnerable individuals across Rochdale borough, including Middleton, Heywood, Kirkholt and far afield as Bacup. Up until May 2020 we had already distributed over 250 food parcels; we prepared and packed a further 275 boxes ready for delivery; by the end of the week, we hoped to reach 750+ people in total.

We are extremely grateful to all the donors who kindly contributed food, toiletries, gifts and other supplies; we are extremely grateful to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly with us, most of whom were observing the 18 hour fast; and we are extremely grateful to our friends, families and well-wishers who have kept up our spirits and motivated us throughout