Wells Community Network (WCN) has received development funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to help ensure its work continues into the future.  

WCN was launched as the Wells Coronavirus Network in March 2020 by a group of volunteers who wanted to ensure people in the city and nearby villages could find support through the pandemic, particularly the isolated and vulnerable.

A huge number of people stepped forward to help, and a committed team of volunteers organised shopping and prescriptions for residents, companionship calls and even walked their dogs. 

They set up a telephone helpline, website and social media. Teams of marshals helped run the Covid vaccination centres at West Mendip Hospital and Wells' St Thomas Church Hall.

When the pandemic subsided WCN transformed into Wells Community Network and, while keeping all its existing services going, it took on new initiatives like Trishaw rides and a Welcome Hub for refugees based at the Portway Annexe.

Many of the same volunteers have now been running WCN since March 2020 which raises questions of sustainability. But in October, WCN was granted funding from Somerset Community Foundation for administrative support to run the helpline for six months. This new funding from the National Lottery will extend this support for up to a year.   

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will enable WCN to:

• Develop plans to make WCN stronger and more sustainable.
• Pay the administrator of the helpline for a further six months.
• Define a role for a Coordinator that can potentially take the pressure off volunteers.
• Help WCN become a charity, making it easier to attract funding and allow people to Gift Aid their donations.

Philip Welch, chair of WCN, said: "We are thrilled that the National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to strengthen and expand our work in Wells and the surrounding area and put the organisation on a firmer footing for the future.

"If you would like to get involved with this community project at a time of exciting change please email [email protected]."