Reason for Nomination: The Graig Covid-19 Community Group was set up as the Coronavirus national emergency hit the UK by local resident Gavin in partnership with Graig Councillor Jayne Brencher, to support local residents and offer assistance to those who are vulnerable and/or in need.
Gavin has been instrumental in the success of the group, taking on a great deal of responsibility for the day to day management of the hub and coordinating a group of 10 DBS checked volunteers.
In the early days of the group, Gavin created a Facebook page to help communicate vital information to the community, keeping people up to date in relation to developments of the Coronavirus pandemic and informing them about what is going on in their local community. Crucially, the page also became a platform for others to volunteer their help.
Gavin and the volunteers have collected and delivered shopping and medications for vulnerable people and those shielding, set up a buddy system for people who are isolated and need a chat, created and distributed a newsletter full of contacts and important information, put together and distributed activity packs for children and initiated food bank collections for those in need.
Gavin has shown an amazing determination to help the community and his commitment and hard work has been key to the success of the Graig Covid-19 Community Support Group.
In addition to Gavin’s fantastic efforts, the Graig hub would not have been a success without the dedication shown by the other volunteers, whose efforts should not be overlooked. Thanks go to Neil Watkins, Paris Nicholas, Matthew Price, Ian White, Laura White, Natalie Selby, Janet Williams, Adam Mathias and Vivien Thomas for their time and devotion.