Staff and volunteers, Durham charity, Lifeline Community Action

Durham charity Lifeline Community Action are supporting key workers on low wages to stay safe through the pandemic.   

County Durham charity

Pauline Chambers, who works and volunteers for the charity, explained:   

“We are helping a lot of key workers, who are often on minimum wage, as is their partner. They are having to wash their clothes, uniform and bedding constantly. All while worrying they will pass Covid19 on to their families. It’s costing them a lot of money to do this. We are glad we can support them with our cleaning care packs when they are being so brave.   

“We have spoken to people who are literally expecting their sheets to fall apart because they only have two sets of bedding and one is always in the wash.”  

County Durham care homes

In the last two weeks, Lifeline Community Action has given out 146 cleaning care packs. Now they are working with care homes heavily affected by the pandemic.  

In addition, they are also supporting vulnerable families to stay safe.  

Pauline added: “It’s a very different time for us. Normally people can come and see us and we can sit and have a cup of tea and find out what’s going on. Someone might ask for something simple, but actually there’s a much wider problem.  At the moment we are relying on family and health workers to notice when something is not quite right.  

“One family worker put us in touch with a family who have eight children and none of them had any proper bedding. We were able to get that sorted out and make sure they have the cleaning products they need right now. These are the cases that worry me and it’s going to take a long time to get back to normal.”  

National Emergencies Trust

The charity received £5,000 from County Durham Community Foundation, through the National Emergencies Trust. NETs is using the UK’s network of community foundations to give out money raised through a national appeal.   

As well as supporting key workers, the Lifeline team are also sending out ‘baby packs’ of nappies, lotion, wipes and shampoo to families who are living in poverty.   

Pauline said: “The funding has been very helpful because it means we can dip into our reserves when we spot a greater need, knowing that the packs are covered. We’ve got to be reactive and we’re not going to leave a family in trouble if we can help.”   

To find out more about groups funded by CDCF, click here.