The growth of community spirit over the past year

While we haven’t been able to get together in person, many of us have worked to find new ways to unite for a common goal and show the nation how much we care about one another. We wanted to share some heart-warming stories from across the nation that showcase some of the best ways in which people have come together for helping the community:

Clapping for our key workers

It may seem like a long time ago now, but over the course of the summer we all showed our appreciation for the hard work key workers have been doing and continue to do, to help combat the pandemic. The weekly clapping on a Thursday night was also matched by fundraising activities across the nation, such as Ian Alcord’s Great British Campout donation drive, which raised over £179,000 for the NHS. We’ve also seen markets and businesses send their excess food to the staff working on critical care wards, to give them the support they need during their stressful shifts. At Calor, we’ve been working to provide support for key workers throughout the pandemic, such as providing free gas to the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Bristol and providing canvas bags so that the staff at Prince Philip Hospital can put their uniforms in them before they take them home to clean. It’s examples like these that have been great to see how everyone has come together in different ways.

Helping the nation stay fit and motivated

With gyms and recreational sports being either closed or cancelled, we’ve had to turn to different ways of keeping fit. Joe Wicks’ routines kept families across the nation moving around in their living rooms, but others took a more direct approach. Simon Garner, a fitness enthusiast from South London, brought his community in Kennington together through a doorstep workout which he led, getting the whole street exercising and encouraging them to communicate. He organised fun exercises such as using baked bean tins as weights and stretching out with sweeping brushes and brooms. Across the nation, we’ve seen people of all ages turning out for virtual or social distanced activities like these, and they have played a key role in boosting wellbeing and spirit through a tough year.

Food and goods for those who are most in need

For so many people, the pandemic has led to a situation where they’ve not been able to afford some of the most basic provisions. Food banks have been under strain during the lockdown and the amount of donations such charities have received has been staggering. Across the country, Local communities have pulled together, running charity events and drives to raise funds to keep these institutions going.

Our staff worked hard over the Christmas period to provide treats and toys for families who needed it most, making sure every child had some gift to open at Christmas. Campaigns like these have happened across the country and it has been amazing to see people come together to support those less fortunate.

The work of our rural communities

All over the country communities have had to come together, including those in rural locations. Lots of independent cafes and pubs have had to change how they operate, using home deliveries or contactless takeaway to keep their businesses going. Playschools and community groups have also had to switch to online sessions and adapt their practices to keep their all-important support within these communities.

At Calor, we’ve been supporting communities like these through our Rural Community Fund since 2017 which provides financial help to independent off-grid causes, charities, and community groups across the country. Since its creation, we’ve given away more than £225,000 to grassroots causes, and plan to continue offering all the support we can to those that need it.

Following lockdown, these communities will need more support than ever, and we are looking forward to opening it back up for 2021. Keep an eye on our Rural Community Fund page for more details on the 2021 fund and register online to receive a notification when applications open.