THE resilience of communities to help people in their areas through the pandemic is something that touched everyone over the course of the last two years.

In Bentham, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust's Coronavirus Community Fund allowed organisations to continue their work without worrying about the financial impact of coronavirus.

Delivered in partnership with Two Ridings Community Foundation and Cumbria Community Foundation, more than £58,000, thanks to players of the People's Postcode Lottery, was awarded to 38 projects across the Dales and surrounding areas through the Coronavirus Community Fund, with four organisations receiving support in Bentham

Bentham Older People Together helps provide a safe welcoming environment for older people in the community. It aims to reduce rural isolation and loneliness, improve individuals’ health and wellbeing and bring together differing generations in the village.

It received funding to help staff and volunteers support older people remotely and ensure the organisation could continue to provide support in a time of financial uncertainty.

Sue Bloxham from the group said: “When the pandemic first began, we knew we had to help older people in our community as much as possible. We had part time staff and a network of volunteers providing telephone support, befriending and delivery of essentials such as food and medicine to people in the area.

“Many of these people were already participants in our lunch clubs and were facing isolation and loneliness, which was only exacerbated by the crisis. The need for this help increased because of social distancing and the sheer need in the community.

“As restrictions started to ease, a lot of our users were still isolating and so we needed to help them wherever we could. We also needed to ensure that when we could get together once again, it was done in a safe way so that everyone would feel secure to come out again.”

The group supports clubs that meet three times a week to share lunch and enjoy activities such as keep fit, talks and special games. It is an opportunity for older people in Bentham to get out and about, meet their friends and help their wellbeing.

Elsewhere in the village, Bentham Primary School received a grant to ensure children and staff remained connected and creative during the pandemic. 140 students received a Grow Your Own Activity Kit over the summer of 2020 which enabled them to propagate various seeds and learn about plants, flowers and gardening.

Bentham Youth Cafe and Community Youth Charity also received support to help improve wellbeing in vulnerable people in the Bentham area.

And, Bentham Allotments Association (BAA) used its grant for fencing and gates on its new community allotment site.

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “It’s brilliant that at a real time of need, players of People’s Postcode Lottery were able to help voluntary organisations and community groups respond to the issues raised by the pandemic.

“These groups have had a huge impact on their communities; allowing people to not only access vital support such as medicines and food at a difficult time but also helping them feel less isolated and more connected.

“We’re delighted funding raised by our players was able to do this, and make a real difference to the people of Bentham and across the Yorkshire Dales.”