IP17GNS has been keeping busy since Christmas. In January we completed 136 tasks, and in February it was 110 including prescription deliveries, shopping stewarding at vaccine clinics, lifts to hospitals and referrals for further support.
Devices for home-learners
With the return of home-learning for children in our community, we became aware of the lack of IT equipment and devices needed for families to access lessons. In response IP17GNS put out an appeal for spare, unused laptops and tablets via our social media channels. Just under 50 devices were donated. With our resident IT expert volunteer; IP17GNS cleared, renovated and made ready all of these devices to be put to use.
We managed to distribute all of these, with help from the local schools, school-aged children to enable home-learners to continue to access and engage with their lessons. Enormous help to everyone involved in this success story!
Stewarding at Sax Health vaccine clinics
IP17GNS have provided volunteers to act as stewards to assist the Covid vaccine progamme at Saxmundham Health, turning out amongst other things to man the carparks, even in the snow!
EAST bags
IP17GNS have also delivered close to 100 EAST bags on behalf of East Suffolk Council to over 65s within the community who have been isolated as a result of the pandemic. These care packages contain vital information on keeping healthy, both physically and mentally, as well as items designed to facilitate these ideas such as food, recipes, self-care goodies and an exercise DVD.
Community Fridge: Opening soon!
We’ve also soft-launched the Saxmundham Community Fridge initiative. You might have noticed the new shed outside the Town House (opposite the rail station); the Community Fridge volunteers have been filling this shed with goodies collected from local supermarkets which otherwise would have been binned & offering it out to the community.
This project is aimed at reducing food waste & is open to everyone. The project will be officially launched on 8th March, opening on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays (10-12) with a wider variety of food-stuffs for people to come & help themselves to.