Castlemilk Together: Supporting communities during Covid-19

In this article we hear from Castlemilk Together about the work they’re doing to support their community during the Covid-19 outbreak. SCDC was delighted to have been able to support the group to apply for the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund.

Castlemilk Together is a community food action group made up of housing associations, community organisations and churches formed to tackle food insecurity in the Castlemilk area.

By working collectively, the group were able to set up a speedy response to COVID-19 using Glasgow City Council Food Programme funding. A fund previously allocated to provide ‘Food and Fun’ for families during the holidays.

By having the funds, being a collective for 4 years and being committed to an asset-based approach, the group were able to organise quickly the delivery of emergency food parcels and additional resources to children/families and adults.

Now thanks to the allocation of funding from Supporting Communities Fund, Castlemilk Together are able to expand and extend provision for adults and older adults. This fund will help them deliver 700 freshly cooked meals to the elderly, vulnerable adults and families every week for 16 weeks and 50 food parcels to vulnerable adults.

They will also be able to support community members with electricity costs and offer online activities for children and families. With this funding they can now offer extra support across the community for those who are most affected by COVID-19 and the complex inequalities that previously existed, amplified by the current situation.

“…..the support that Castlemilk Together is providing me with throughout this difficult time has just been amazing. I am a single mum of four boys, who quite frankly could eat me out of house and home.  I work part-time and am currently furloughed so with the reduction to my wage, along with being just recently being moved over to Universal Credit, I am really struggling. On top of that because we are all in the house all day long, my electricity meter is constantly needing topped up. All of this leaves me extremely worried and stressed about how I can support my kids. 

To receive a weekly bag of shopping that includes fruit and veg and things like jam and bread allows me to buy other essentials. My younger kids are also enjoying the art activities that they receive, which are also a good distraction in that they are not constantly fighting over who’s turn it is on the X Box.” - Community member.

The process of support during these difficult times is being received positively across the community, and as well as receiving requests, Castlemilk Together have multiple local people volunteering their time, skills, and resources.

 “Castlemilk Community Football have been more than happy to get involved with the Covid 19 food initiative in the community. Our local coaches have been able to become delivery drivers and food packers to help out the most vulnerable. We have also been fortunate enough to be able to redirect some of our small budget and resources to help out where we can. Castlemilk Together has been in the fortunate position of having an existing network previously involved in food work via the holiday programmes. This type of local partnership really has come to the fore and meant the group was  ready to respond almost immediately. John Harkins - CCF - chairperson

Castlemilk Together are confident that as a community that is being supported locally but also nationally, that they will get through this difficult period in time due to collective activism after which they will continue to work toward reducing food insecurity in the area.

Keep up-to-date with Castlemilk Together through their Facebook page.