Wrexham, Denbighshire and Flintshire councils have worked in partnership to deliver a Regional Community Cohesion Service (RCC) for North East Wales. The service supports around 40 community groups and third sector organisations that in turn actively support minority communities.
Since March 2020, RCC has continued to support communities although as with most services, the focus has adapted to address the challenges posed by COVID19. In total around £20,000 has been awarded in grants to support specific schemes such as:
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provision of food parcels, personal protective equipment and online support;
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translated information packs;
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summer holiday socially distanced activities;
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support in relation to domestic violence and substance misuse during Covid-19;
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post Covid-19 volunteering and community engagement opportunities; and
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supporting the local Traveller Community during Covid-19 with remote education support.
The RCC is not sitting back on its laurels. It has a seat on the Wales Council for Voluntary Action Emergency Covid-19 funds panel and is working with AVOW and key partners to identify and secure larger and more sustainable funds to support minority communities and individuals with projected characteristics.