With nearly 350 homes in the Dartmouth area LiveWest teamed up with local Dartmouth youth charity Youth Genesis, Dartmouth Community Chest and TQ6 Community Partnership to deliver the half term event with the shared ambition of supporting children and families.
Charlotte Holdsworth Community Connector for LiveWest, said: “At LiveWest we are committed to strengthening and supporting communities by creating access to community activities.”
She added: “To have a free event for local young people was so important for us. We know energy bills are about to increase, the cold weather is coming and Christmas is around the corner, plus the Covid Universal Credit of an extra £20 has come to an end. The pressure is upon some families already and for others it is building.”
“The event was well attended by both local people and others who were there to support the event.
The event saw children from the area participating in safe, constructive, children purposed activities with a Halloween theme.”
The session provided local children with activities and food giving parents an opportunity to save money on food for a day. These events also help with the alleviation of holiday boredom and screen time, plus slight relief from financial burdens brought on by holiday free time.
Dawn Shepherd from Dartmouth Community Chest said: “We have an amazing community that always comes together to support each other through the good times and the bad. Having regular events to get the community together, builds our relationships, so no one falls behind.”
Dawn added: “Charlotte from LiveWest has always been a great supporter, it's how it should be, all of us working together for the good of our communities.”
LiveWest recently surveyed over 125 LiveWest households in Townstal and residents expressed a desire for more activities for children and young people. It is hoped that LiveWest can hold a Christmas holiday programme in Townstal for children and young people in December.
Leanda Flower said: “We know that the economic impact of the pandemic is being felt. Over a year into the pandemic in the UK and the numbers of people on Universal Credit continue to climb, and levels of financial hardship look set to be sustained, with the rate of unemployment not expected to return to pre-pandemic rates until 2024.”
“The way community organisations have been able to respond to this unprecedented level of demand and uncertain future highlights the amazing efforts of volunteer teams across the South West.”