‘Outstanding response’ to emergency by Mid and East Antrim volunteers

Councillors have acknowledged the role of volunteers who have rallied round to bring food parcels, prescriptions and practical help and support to vulnerable and isolated residents in Larne, Carrick and Ballymena.

This was aided by £100,000 from the council’s Covid-19 Community Grants Scheme which was shared among 97 community groups and food banks.

Alliance Coast Road Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna thanked the community hub which she acknowledged has “delivered across the borough”.

Community hubs were established in each council area to co-ordinate and manage response.

Ald Mulvenna said: “It was very humbling and a privilege to be part of that especially in country areas. It was great to know that as a council, we were able to put the community at the heart of our work.”

Ballymena SDLP Councillor Eugene Reid highlighted the speed at which council reacted to events during the Covid emergency by getting money to community groups as quickly as possible and “without obstacle” across the entire borough.

“Community organisations throughout Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne stepped up and made sure that they knew who were in need and people who were being missed were getting what they needed.

“There is large number of organisations which stepped up in this crisis and who did an absolutely outstanding job.”

Carrick Ulster Unionist Cllr Robin Stewart said: “It has been a fantastic response right across the borough.”

“Carrick businesses donated a lot of stuff free of charge as did a lot of community and I think this whole thing is about helping each other,” he noted.

He indicated that he had been involved with the delivery of 1,782 hampers at no cost to council.

Larne Lough DUP Cllr Gregg McKeen pointed out that a new crisis is looming with job loss.

“We need to look at a plan moving forward to provide support for families who will know need with job losses. We need to plan for a second phase of economic issues and further support of the community,” he suggested.

Sinn Fein Coast Road Cllr James McKeown commented: “This experience has been a very positive experience for the council.

“I think what it highlights is the amount of need and poverty that exists within the borough.

“I think the council should take note of that and do what we can to eradicate it. There is an awful lot of people out there you think are going along nicely but underneath it all are struggling big time.”

DUP Ald Audrey Wales MBE commended all retailers and local shops that “stepped up to the mark”.

“They are the local retailers we need to support going forward. Shop local will be so important in the future.”

Chief executive Anne Donaghy told the meeting: “There is a lot to be done. We can’t run council as normal.”

She added: “We have to have a maximum impact in the community with the resources we have.”

Mid and East Antrim Council reported the delivery of almost 4,000 food parcels to residents across the borough during the Covid-119 pandemic. These were distributed to 532 homes in Larne, Carrick and Ballymena.

Deliveries were carried out by redeployed council staff assisted by community groups, Care in Custody and the Parr Group with free use of vans from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Forestry Service and two vehicle hire companies.

Currently, the Department for Communities supplies 500 food parcels for recipients in Mid and East Antrim supplemented by food banks in Larne, Carrick and Ballymena for additional requests.

A number of council staff were also redeployed after some shops contacted the local authority to seek assistance with deliveries to customers who were shielding.

Community hub staff and volunteers have been involved in prescription collection and a befriending service is provided by Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership, Good Morning Larne and Good Morning Carrickfergus.

A text alert scheme operated by MEAAP sent 767 texts providing information to vulnerable and isolated residents. Support has been provided to rural residents through a rural door knocking scheme. Through this scheme, contact has been made with 819 households and 12 emergency food parcels provided. Thirty-two families in the borough have benefited from delivery of a free slow cooker kit.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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