The year 2020 to 2021 was challenging as there was pandemic which impacted upon the lives of elderly and
vulnerable people. The COVID 19 has led to a dramatic loss of human life and presents an unprecedented
challenge to public health, food and world of work. The economics and social disruption caused by the
pandemic is devastating; people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty. During the pandemic, the BWA
was distributing hot meals to the vulnerable and elderly people every week until the lockdown was eased up.
We were also providing food parcels to children and families who were in need. Despite the pandemic we
were able to secure funding to provide door to door service for the vulnerable people. The service included
visiting vulnerable people every day, befriending with them, helping them with benefits, housing, contacting
their GP, carrying out shopping, guiding, and advising to stay safe from COVID. The vulnerable people
benefited from the services enormously. In doing these we were assisted by the board members, volunteers,
staff and councillors from Camden council. We were also working in partnership with Fitzrovia Neighboured
Centre, Hopscotch Centre, Camden council and we were providing hot meals to 400 to 500 people every
week until the lockdown was lifted. Our staff and board members were actively involved in several key
partnerships, funding bids including Big lottery funding, Edward Harvist, City Bridge and so forth. The aim of
these services is to make them feel connected and supported during the pandemic. In addition to these, the
BWA was providing food parcels to the families with children suffering financial hardship impacting upon the
wellbeing of children. We have applied for funding to set up a family support services to assist vulnerable
families. The aim of the project will be to reduce the hardship, maximise their income and reduce the
involvement of social services. We are in the process of submitting more funding applications to provide
services for children, young people, education and training for unemployed people, welfare rights services,
and homework club for school age children.
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