“At this time, we’ve got to come together” - Brighouse community group helping those in need

A Brighouse community group is doing its bit to help those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.
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Focus4Hope was set up by Louise Reed to support local elderly, isolated or lonely people, homeless people and refugees.

But now the group’s efforts have been redirected to helping people’s deliveries of shopping and medication, as well as providing food boxes to those most in need.

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“We’re into our third week now,” said Louise. “Because we’re a small group, we can adapt to suit any need.

Louise Reed, founder of Focus4HopeLouise Reed, founder of Focus4Hope
Louise Reed, founder of Focus4Hope

“A lot of what we do is bringing people together and out of isolation so now it’s completely reversed.

“A lot of the elderly we support don’t have families living nearby, and as soon as the Government announced the social distancing and isolation measures, I knew we had to help.

“So i decided to deliver out food parcels to people who are isolated, initially just with elderly, vulnerable and disabled people, so people with medical conditions for example.

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“Then word spread and we’re now supporting lots of vulnerable families. It’s everybody in isolation that we’re helping.

Cards written by Jessica Reed, 12 and Sophia Reed, 9Cards written by Jessica Reed, 12 and Sophia Reed, 9
Cards written by Jessica Reed, 12 and Sophia Reed, 9

“To try and make it more manageable we decided we had to rein it in a bit.

“We linked up with a couple of other charities so we can refer to each other.

“We’re passing people on and making sure people are supported.

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“We also offer a prescription collection service as well, for a lot of elderly people who need them collecting and dropping off.

Cards written by Jessica Reed, 12 and Sophia Reed, 9Cards written by Jessica Reed, 12 and Sophia Reed, 9
Cards written by Jessica Reed, 12 and Sophia Reed, 9

“We’re now making big boxes up for families so they can last a week, and then smaller ones for the elderly.”

The group consists of a team of seven and predominantly covers Brighouse and surrounding areas, including Clifton, Elland, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe.

“When I told one of my friends this was what I wanted to do, she went ‘right, this is a great idea, I’m going to donate a thousand pounds to get you going’, so I was blown away by that,” said Louise.

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“That enabled us to kick start it. And the Community Foundation for Calderdale have just given us a grant.

“We’re working closely with Rastrick Big Local, so once the money from the CFFC runs out, then we’re going to get the same from them.

“I also set-up a Go Fund Me page so people are donating on there, and they can donate through our website.
“And we’re finding some of the families who have money but they’re isolated, they will have a parcel and they’ll send a donation through, bless them, which is really nice, but they don’t have to.

“If someone does donate, it just helps the sustainability of it.”

Louise says demand is increasing as the weeks go by.

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“The first week we were maybe doing four or five parcels a day, whereas sometimes now we’re doing up to 20 a day. And maybe four or five prescription collections,” she said.

“It fluctuates. In a week we’re doing maybe 150.

“I was reading the other weekend that NHS staff were struggling to get their shopping, and I wanted to help them, so we’re dropping off 50 food parcels a week to the NHS.

“And we’re also doing 20 parcels a week for the staff at Overgate Hospice. I wanted to really support our local hospice, who we work closely with anyway.”

When asked what the response has been from those in the community receiving help from Focus4Hope, Louise said: “They’re just so overwhelmed, they’re so, so grateful.

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“We’ve had two people just burst into tears on us because they’re so grateful.

“We put the parcel on the doorstep, we knock and we stand right back.

“And we have a little chat with them because a lot of people are isolated and lonely.

“For the elderly and people that are on their own, they just want to have a little chat.

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“My children have drawn and done some letters, which we’re putting in the parcels as well, just saying ‘you might be on your own but you’re thought of’.
“It’s why I set up Focus4Hope, I just want to help people.

“We have a really good following through social media, and the wonderful backing of Town Hall Dental, which is where I’m based.

“The principal dentist there is down here every day saying ‘right, put me to work, what can I do’, so I’m sending him out delivering parcels.

“And he turned round to me the other day and said ‘I just want to say I am so proud of you’, which was really sweet.”
“ith all this happening, it’s the least I can do to support our community.”

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Louise says she has been “overwhelmed” by the response to her efforts.

She added: “Since I put up the post about starting this I’ve had so many offers by people offering to deliver them out.

“It really brings the community together. At this time, we’ve got to come together, we’ve got to support everybody and we’ve got to check on our elderly neighbours and check on people that might be on their own who are isolated.

“But people have to stay indoors, follow the guidance, don’t just be nipping out to the shops.

“Lean on us to do that for you, and keep safe.”

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To make a donation to Focus4Hope, go to https://www.focus4hope.co.uk/.

If you know of anyone in your community who is doing their bit to help people during coronavirus, please let us know so we can feature them in our coverage. You can email us at [email protected] or let us know via Twitter or Facebook.

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