Steve Barclay MP

PACKAGE OF SUPPORT FOR LOCAL GROUPS – By Steve Barclay MP

The current period of national lockdown is a difficult time for all. I know many will be worried about the effect it will have on jobs, businesses and the economy, mental health and people’s wellbeing, and the simple practicalities of access to food and assistance for those who are self-isolating.

The Government has put in place a package of support, and district councils together with local community organisations and volunteers are doing an amazing job. It is also good to see that Fenland is getting its share of some of the Government support for heritage and the wider cultural sector. The Angles Theatre was awarded £128,000 arts funding and St Giles Church in Tydd St Giles has been given a £18,680 grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. I know both of these are much valued by the community and I hope the funds will go some way toward combatting the current challenges. COVID-19 also plays a role in the delay to the reopening of the Doddington Minor Injury Unit due to the wider pressure on staff during the pandemic. I am assured that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group is working hard to find a solution but the safety of both staff and patients is paramount. The Ely MIU has remained open throughout and it was good to see the Wisbech MIU re-open in August. It’s great to see March Bears Rugby Club chairman Edwin Fey is through to the Living Sport shortlist for the Community Volunteer of the Year, and the club itself is short listed for Community Club of the Year. My dad coached junior rugby on Sunday mornings for thirty-nine years, so I grew up around a rugby club and know how much work is involved by volunteers, so it’s great to see the local work at March Bears being recognised. The winners will be announced on December 3rd – we'll keep our fingers crossed. The highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK has been presented to March Amateur Boxing Club. Volunteers have dedicated their time and energy to the club for fifty years so recognition was richly deserved. Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the club which boasts 250 members and it is an achievement the whole community can be proud of.

Further information about the pandemic is available here: www.gov.uk/coronavirus; www.fenland.gov.uk/coronavirus. Please also remember I am here to help, together with my parliamentary office, so do get in touch via email or phone if we can be of assistance. Above all, please keep yourselves and your families safe.

To find out more about my work in Parliament or local campaigns, visit my website or follow me on social media: www.stevebarclay.net  @SteveBarclay  @SteveBarclayOfficial  @SteveBarclayOfficial